Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has said the government will not relent in its efforts to restore sanity to the transport sector. Speaking at the Industrial area on Monday, CS Matiang’i said the traffic crackdown which started on Monday won’t be seasonal and that Kenyans must come to terms with this situation, “We are determined to be in this for the whole haul, we aren’t relenting….It must be a way of life and we ain’t going back,” he said. Matiang’i said the public transport sector is filled with cartels who look to benefit where they haven’t sowed, and that cases of indecent behavior meted at bus stages towards women have also been consistently reported.
On Monday, many PSV operators countrywide withdrew their vehicles form the roads as the Michuki rules were effected, paralyzing the transport sector as a result. CS Matiang’i said they expected that move by the PSV operators and that those keeping their vehicles from the roads can continue to do so, noting that those who have complied with the laws are working and it shows they are doing a legitimate business. He said no one should be forced pay any protection fees or fees to be able to operate on a certain route and that the government shall protect them, “They can be sure the government will protect their business,” he said.
Speaking at Railways in Nairobi, Transport CS James Macharia confirmed that Kenya Railways will increase the number of trains geared towards mitigating the current transport challenge residents are facing regarding public transport, “Normally they run about 12 trains everyday from various stations….but from today we’ve agreed the number of trains be increased to 18 everyday,” said CS Macharia.
The Transport CS said matatu operators were given sufficient time to comply with the traffic laws. He said those the government will review the licenses of those who’ve kept their vehicles form the roads, “As government, through NTSA, we shall review the license of the vehicles and saccos which aren’t operating as of now. If you’ve been given a license and you aren’t utilizing that license, then you don’t require that license,” he said.
According to Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, close to 2000 offenders had been arrested when they were addressing the press on Monday mid morning, these include matatu operators, private vehicle users and PSV passengers, “When you get into a vehicle, ensure the vehicle complies with the law,” said Boinnet, who had accompanied Interior CS Matiang’i.