The government has announced the return of the dreaded public transport regulations, popularly known as the Michuki Rules, to tame rogue matatu drivers in the wake of concerns over increasing road accidents.
Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia and his Interior Counterpart Fred Matiang’i said the rules, introduced by the no-nonsense powerful Cabinet minister John Michuki in 2003, will be enforced with more ruthlessness and discipline. Mr Michuki died in 2012.
Road accidents have been on the rise this year and have killed 8,000 people in the last three years. Just last month, 58 people were killed in a horrific accident involving a bus in western Kenya.
on Thursday, the ministers said matatu owners, drivers, conductors, and passengers have until November 12 to comply with the rules, the National Transport and Safety Authority Act 2013, and the Traffic Act.
Public service vehicles will have to be fitted with speed governors, safety belts and painted with a yellow line. Similarly, all PSV drivers and conductors will be required to wear uniforms and badges and prominently display their photos in the vehicles.
CORRUPTION
