Killer matatu Sacco said to operate outside law

By ERASTUS MULWA

Makueni, Kenya: When a 14-seater matatu crashed at a bridge on the Masii-Tawa road killing 12 passengers on the spot, the region and nation at large went into mourning.

But regular commuters and residents in the area where the Tala-based matatu sacco, whose matatu was involved, were not entirely shocked. They say it was bound to happen and more are likely to perish if the sacco is allowed to continue operating the way it has always done.

 Makata Sacco, which is arguably the second-largest public service vehicle (PSV) transport Sacco within Kangundo and Matungulu sub-counties within Machakos County, is said to be the epitome of impunity.

Interviews The Standard had with the regular commuters and residents  indicate the crew of vehicles operated by the sacco has been operating with impunity and sheer neglect of traffic regulations.

The Standard has established that commuters on the various routes plied by the Sacco have consistently raised concerns over the blatant impunity and disregard of the law by the crew.

ENFORCE ILLEGALITY

They accuse the Sacco of tolerating rogue and abusive crew-drivers and conductors who flout traffic regulations with impunity. Every day, passengers travelling to various destinations are stashed into the matatus right inside the County government-operated bus parks. As a matter of fact, it is almost a law that a Makata Sacco must load over 20 passengers before any 14-seater matatu can leave Kangundo, Tala or Machakos bus termini.

And the crew is so determined to enforce the illegality to the extent that they rough up any passenger who resists sharing their seats with an excess passenger.

Traffic police have been blamed for failing to act on the lawlessness exhibited by the Sacco, amid claims that they are compromised with bribes by the rogue operators.

Kangundo traffic base commander Davies Okisai could not be reached for comment as he was unavailable.

In interviews with The Standard, several commuters called on traffic police in the area to rein in the serial traffic offenders.

 “We want traffic police to show genuine commitment in enforcing traffic rules so that we may feel safer on the roads. What has been happening is far below our expectation,” says one frequent commuter.

Kangundo MP Kyengo Maweu has called for immediate action by police to tame rogue matatu operators. Maweu recalled that in August 2011, 23 people from Kawethei village in the same constituency died in an accident, also on a mission of dowry payment in Mbooni, Makueni County.

BASIC REGULATIONS

“Enough is enough and the time to act is now. Everyone must now exercise personal responsibility to ensure road safety, and matatu Saccos and police must lead by example,” said the Kangundo MP.

Sunday, a well placed source told The Standard that the owner of the ill-fated Nissan matatu that nose-dived into a river from a 10-metre high bridge had recently joined the Sacco’s management board.

According to the source, some members of the Sacco have in the past few weeks been uncomfortable with the matatu owner over his alleged refusal or failure to adhere to basic public transport regulations.

A driver assigned to one of the matatus claimed the Sacco’s overall performance has been on the downward trend due to poor management.

The driver, who talked to The Standard on condition of anonymity, claimed the current management committee has been operating like a cartel.

“It is the vehicles owned by the Sacco officials that are usually given priority to pick commuters during the peak hours whereas those belonging to ordinary members are assigned positions according to individual owners’ allegiance to the top Sacco officials,” he said.

The Sacco’s Chairman, Duncan Mating’i, hang up  the phone when The Standard sought his comments.