Only 322 matatus on Kenyan roads have complied with the new vehicle body structure standards, the national transport agency has revealed.

Fearing a transport crisis, the agency announced that it would not pull out any of the estimated 200,000 public service vehicles from the road for not conforming to the new standards until May 2024.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) argues that implementing the standards now would mean getting rid of almost all of the matatus currently operating on Kenyan roads.

According to Matatu Owners Association (MOA), there are about 200,000 matatus in the country with 20,000 in Nairobi alone.

The authority’s director in charge of inspection, Gerald Wangai, said by the time the new standards came into play, no vehicle had its structure built according to specifications.

“We have to be considerate. We do not want rapid action then we end up crippling the whole economy,” said Wangai.

Eng Wangai said although the standards had taken effect and were supposed to be complied with, some aspects were yet to be finalised.

This includes the debate on whether vehicles should have carriers for luggage. According to the new standards, matatus are required to provide storage space for passengers’ luggage as well as enough legroom and headroom.

Wangai said the authority was re-looking at the standards to include space for wheel chairs for physically challenged passengers.

The standards, which became operational in May 22, 2017 and officially launched on July by NTSA Director General Francis Meja, also require all PSVs' body structures to be built by certified builders and welders, and their designs overseen by registered engineers.

Kenya Association of Bus Manufacturers was nominated to be in charge of assembling certifications.

Reprieve period

Wangai said the seven-year reprieve given to operators was necessary to protect vehicle owners from losses.

"We want to be fair. We do not want an outcry,” he said.

Wangai said the standards, certified by Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) were bare minimum requirements for all PSV operators.

At the 2024 deadline, Wangai said the impounded vehicles will be left to die a natural death through wear and tear.

“By that time such matatus will be too expensive to operate,” he said.

According to the standards, it is a requirement that every PSV be fitted with safe hand-rails and hand-holds.

Entrance and service doors should not be confused with emergency doors. Emergency windows, measuring 700 mm by 500 mm minimum were also prescribed.