People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua warned that the safety of women, commuters in Kenya’s public transport system, remained under threat due to slow or absent enforcement of existing policies.
Speaking on the issue during the Women and Transport Africa (WTA) Conference on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Karua emphasized that safety policies are meaningless unless acted upon.
Karua noted that this challenge spans all transport sectors, including SACCOs, matatus, boda bodas, taxis, and digital platforms.
“The enforceable safety is non-negotiable and is actioned because It’s one thing to have policy, it’s another thing to action it,” she said.
She urged the need for better training and immediate repercussions for offenders, noting that enforcement should follow incidents without delay.
The PLP leader further stressed that the criminal justice system and law enforcement agencies have a responsibility beyond announcing arrests.
She highlighted the need for periodic updates on cases, saying this not only reassures the public but also serves as a warning to potential repeat offenders.
Data from a report done in 2022 by Kenyatta University Women's Economic Empowerment (Ku-WEE) showed high rates of harassment against women in Kenyan public transport, with 80% of women using matatus experiencing daily harassment.
From the report, the incidents frequently occur inside vehicles and at stops or termini, and the violence included verbal comments, staring, and inappropriate touching.
Harassment, on the other hand, was perpetrated by both fellow commuters and transport workers, and the lack of reporting was exacerbated by a lack of confidence in the justice system.
