The Traffic Act of Kenya outlines touting as a criminal offence that is punishable by a Sh50,000 fine or 12-month jail term.
The law states that "No person shall, for the purpose of obtaining passengers for any public service vehicle, make any noise or sound any instrument, or do anything which causes or is likely to cause annoyance, inconvenience or danger to the public."
It is for this reason that law enforcement officers in Kayole conducted a raid at the residential area's main stages, Masimba and Mihang'o, early Thursday morning.
Kayole OCPD Joseph Gichangi told Kenyans.co.ke that the impromptu crackdown that caused a commotion in the area was a routine approach at curbing the activities of a notorious group commonly called kamagiras.
The offenders are spotted at almost every bus terminal in Nairobi and they normally call passengers to board a particular bus after which the conductor is required to remit a payment of Sh20.
"They are impostors who organize themselves to kind of manage the stages. They demand payments from the matatu drivers and even threaten to take over the routes," the officer explained.
Gichangi emphasised that the provisions of the law were clear, the conductor is required to remain silent and allow passengers to board at their own will.
The traffic act gives a provision for first time offenders who are convicted, stating that they may pay a fine not exceeding Sh30,000. The court may also order confiscation of the instrument by which the offence was committed
