NAIROBI – Toyota Probox and Toyota Sienta are set to operate as public service vehicles should PSV laws in Kenya be reviewed.
According to Business Daily, Esther Koimett, the Transport Principal Secretary, said the law review will allow for regulation of these vehicles that account for significant share of the matatu business in Kenya’s rural areas.
Currently the low-capacity vehicles are barred from offering public transport services under the Traffic Act and have been cited for overloading, carrying as many as 10 passengers for a 5-seater car.
Speaking on phone recently, Ms. Koimett told the daily: “They are not defined as PSVs and we cannot regulate them. The idea is to bring them under a regulatory mechanism and we are looking at how to bring them on board.” She continued: “It is a matter of looking at the current law and making the necessary changes.”
The move may trigger a sharp rise in Probox and Toyota Sienta imports since they are cheaper than the 14-seater matatu/taxi vans.
In 2015, the Kenyan government banned the use of Probox cars as PSVs over increased accidents due to overloading, speeding and reckless driving.
