Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and his Transport counterpart James Macharia issued a statement warning of the reinforcement of 'Michuki rules' affecting both matatu operators, owners and passengers alike.
Speaking at the Kenya School of Government, Matiang’i stated that the deadline was first approaching and the state was determined to ruthlessly bring to an end the chaotic public transport service ruled by cartels and rogue operators.
“This is not a one or two-month affair. That is why we have set up a multi-agency team jointly with the Ministry of Transport. The president has required us to file quarterly reports on how we are working on the changes in the public transport sector,” The Interior CS stated.
With that in tow, here is the breakdown of the rules to be reintroduced beginning Monday.
Matatu Operators
The State has vowed to focus gaze on all matatu operators including owners, insurers and bodybuilders who will be arrested and charged in case one of their vehicles is involved in a road accident or its body is substandard.
The rules also stated that all drivers of PSV vehicles should have licences and badges with photographs on full display.
Drivers and conductors should also always have their uniforms on with those of drivers being blue in colour and conductors must have a maroon one.
Long distance transit has also been advised to have two drivers on board with each only allowed to drive at a maximum of 8 hours and have 8 hours allocated to rest.
The ministry also directed that all PSVs should not have tinted vehicle and must display a genuine insurance certificate on the front windscreen.
It will also be illegal to have graffiti on vehicles even though the art has made the culture recognised internationally.
All Matatus will also be expected to carry functional fire extinguishers and first aid kits failure of which they will pay a fine of Ksh2,000.
Passengers
Passengers have also not been spared in the new crackdown with everyone expected to only board or alight at designated bus stops.
Passengers also risk arrest if they board an already full vehicle.
The ministry has also directed the arrest of all unrecognized persons manning bus stops since they lead to the spike of crimes in the country and will attract a fine of Ksh5,000.
Michuki rules also stipulated that all passengers should wear seat belts every time a vehicle they are boarding is in motion.
In September, the high court legalized instant fines on minor transport offences such as Ksh5,000 for driving vehicles on footpaths and Ksh500 for failure to wear seat belts while the vehicle is in motion.
