Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, on Friday, May 12, recalled receiving threats from a section of matatu cartels at Afya Center in Nairobi's Central Business District.
During an engagement forum with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Murkomen recounted facing opposition from a section of stage attendants for exposing their fare hiking tricks.
While giving context to some challenges facing the Public Service Industry (PSV), Murkomen narrated that he was threatened and warned over sustained protests on fare increases.
Explaining the cause of his conflict, Murkomen told the NTSA officials that he used to stay at Ngumba estate and boarded matatus at Afya Center. However, during rainy seasons, the crew would hike fare from Nairobi CBD from Ksh20 to Ksh100 in a span of minutes.
He lamented that the stage attendants ignored the passengers and hiked fares even after they had boarded.
"I used to live in Ngumba, and I used to board matatus at Afya Centre. But you know somebody would just wake up and because it is drizzling, he raises the fare from Ksh20 to Ksh50. After a few minutes, they raise to Ksh100," Murkomen stated.
"So I used to protest until one day I was told, 'We are watching you.' I had come from the university with the enthusiasm of a graduate lawyer. I had this mentality of saying I know my rights. The person who warned me had a lot of marks and dreadlocks," Murkomen insisted.
Despite the experience, Murkomen continued using matatus for transport until he bought his first car in 2009.
"I have boarded matatu almost all my life. I owned a car for the first time in 2009," the former Elgeyo Marakwet Senator revealed.
At the same time, he vowed to work with different stakeholders to streamline the public service sector. He also pledged to collaborate with NTSA to bring sanity to the private car sector.
Defending the move to impose extra regulations on private cars, Murkomen indicated that they contributed to significant road carnages.
Solutions
The Former Elgeyo Marakwet Senator pledged to prioritise privatising the car inspection exercise. In the new proposal, the Transport CS noted that NTSA would play an oversight role while the private companies will conduct the inspections.
"We are putting in place measures for motor vehicle inspection which will be monitored and we are leveraging on the private sector. NTSA will just do the oversight work, " the CS indicated.
Besides prioritising car inspections, Murkomen directed NTSA to focus on improving driving schools, implementing the Intelligence Road Safety Management System and increasing public education and awareness.
