National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Thursday suspended the license of a driver whose matatu was recorded swerving dangerously along a highway.
A source at the authority confirmed to Kenyans.co.ke that NTSA directed the Sacco in which the matatu belongs to present the driver, identified as John Kinyanjui, as well as the matatu for inspection.
Once the driver arrived, he was subjected to a reassessment test which he failed.
The authority, as a result, suspended both the driving license held by the driver as well as the vehicle's public service vehicle license.
"Upon receipt of this report, the Authority directed the Sacco to present the driver and the vehicle to the NTSA Likoni inspection center for compliance assessment," our source stated.
"The driver was subjected to a retest focusing on the Highway Code, Road Signs and Road Safety. He performed poorly in all the areas. His DL and PSV license have both been suspended."
According to the authority, the vehicle underwent a compliance inspection and failed the check.
A 31-second clip of the matatu swerving dangerously on the highway went viral on Sunday, August 11, attracting ire from the public.
Sikika Road Safety, a campaign-driven social media page, called for action from the authorities cautioning of fatalities likely to be realised due to the recklessness of the matatu.
"NTSA Kenya , National Police Service and Hon. Davis chirchir (Transport CS), action is needed here before we start typing RIP at Thika road at Sagana KDL," read the Sikika Road Safety call to action.
"This is very wrong, the driver should be arrested charged and banned from ever being behind the wheel," added David Karanja.
Over the last seven months since January, NTSA recorded 2,407 deaths from road crashes, a 2.82 per cent increase compared to similar period last year.
In the same data, t least 6,083 people sustained serious injuries while 4,083 had slight injuries.
