The Matatu Owners Association Chairman, Albert Karakacha, has announced measures to protect passengers during the upcoming Easter holidays.
Speaking on Wednesday, April 16, Karakacha assured travelers that matatu fares would remain unchanged during the holiday season, despite the usual trend of fare hikes.
“We know very well this week we will be having Good Friday and Easter Monday, and most people are traveling going up country. We have consulted widely with our membership on the issue of fares, and I think we will not have that thing, the way it normally goes up,'' Karakacha assured.
"The issue of road safety, we have talked to our passengers, conductors, and drivers, and even our Saccos," he added.
Karakacha also noted that efforts are underway to enhance road safety, urging drivers to exercise extra caution and encouraging passengers to speak up against reckless driving.
He further urged passengers to report to the police any incidents committed by the drivers and conductors that might amount to bad behaviour.
"We have told our drivers to be very careful on the roads and make sure that they drive carefully. We are urging the passengers to make sure that if they see any speeding vehicle, they should report to any nearby police station and must take pictures,'' Karakacha said.
"This is because, as an association, we want to take care of our passengers going forward," he added.
The Matatu Owners Association revealed that the new directives would help reduce the number of road accidents in the country that tend to occur during the holiday seasons.
On April 15, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) announced that it had embarked on a crackdown targeting drivers breaching road safety regulations ahead of the Easter celebrations.
NTSA, through its chairperson, Khatib Mwashetani, confirmed that the authority would deploy officers across different roads in the country to ensure that Kenyans abide by road safety regulations.
During the crackdown, Khatib announced that the authorities' officers would be keen on apprehending vehicle operators without speed governors, drunk driving, among other offences.
"We want to ask Kenyans to be vigilant. For those who know they are drunkards, let them not drive while drunk, and also, for those who know their vehicles don't have speed governors, you should ensure that you have them installed," he said.
