A statement issued by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on the ongoing public transport crackdown on Monday left a section of Kenyans confused.
NTSA Director-General Francis Meja stated that graffiti on matatus and other Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) was permissible as long as the art did not cover the windows and the sacco name was clearly indicated.
He further asserted that the vehicles had to comply with all existing requirements and be properly driven.
The statement contradicted one given by Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet who stated that graffiti would not be tolerated in the crackdown.
“I celebrate our culture and I love art. But not one that celebrates gangsters or violence.
“Maybe we were a bit relaxed in the past but moving forward we have said enough is enough; if you are a PSV operator you better make sure that your vehicle is in the condition that the law prescribes. If you don’t, don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he noted in an interview with Citizen TV last week.
The public transport crackdown saw 2,000 offenders arrested on the first day.
A matatu strike that literally paralyzed transport in many parts of the country was called off by operators in the evening.
Authorities maintained that the operation would continue until sanity returned to the industry.
Below is a checklist issued by the NTSA of what they are looking out for during the crackdown.
VEHICLES
- Inspection certificate
- Speed governor
- Suspension
- Steering
- Continuous yellow line
- Availability of safety belts
- Body work condition
- Tinted or reflective material
- Blinking lights, bull bars, extended rims/running board
- Loud music systems
- Blaring horns
- Modified exhaust pipes
- Insurance and condition of tyres
DRIVERS AND RIDERS
- Driving licence
- Uniform/helmet
- PSV badge
- PSV photo
- Whether vehicle overloaded
- Whether driver under the influence of alcohol
- Failure to obey traffic signs
CONDUCTORS
- Uniform
- PSV badge
- Whether vehicle is carrying excess passenger
- Whether conductor is under influence of alcohol
- Whether conductor is riding in a dangerous position
- Touting.
PASSENGERS
- Whether passengers have fastened safety belts
- Whether riders have helmets
- Whether riders/passengers have reflective jackets.
