By LEONARD KULEI and CHARLES NGENO
Matatu operators in Nakuru County have opposed the new traffic laws proposed by the Ministry of Transport set to take effect beginning next year.
Danson Kamau, the chairman of Sita Line matatu SACCO in Nakuru, says the government is targeting the wrong people in its bid to curb road carnage.
He faults the poor state of roads and the number of transit heavy trucks for the accidents.
“Taking drivers to class for re-testing will do little to reduce accidents. The government should expand the present roads and sack corrupt Traffic police officers,” he said.
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Sammy Ocharo, a driver, said most accidents are caused by rouge truck drivers who overtake even at balk spots.
“Look at the accidents happening especially in Salgaa and Naivasha. They are caused by trucks driving dangerously. They look down upon us. Taking my licence will just amount to making me unemployed and raise crime in this town,” he warned.
In the new amendments, the government plans to review the Traffic Act by March to accommodate the new measures.
The shake-up in the muddled transport industry would see over 25,000 matatu drivers go back to class or lose their driving licences.
Spot fines
National Transportation and Safety Authority Chairman Lee Kinyanjui says the amendments will empower police to issue on-the-spot fines as an expansion of the current mobile traffic courts.
“NTSA first wants to weed out bad and reckless PSV drivers. We are going to work with the National Youth Service and other stakeholders to retrain all PSV drivers. Those who will fail will not be issued with licenses,” said Kinyanjui.
Meanwhile, former Traffic and Licensing Board Chairman Hassan ole Kamwaro has welcomed the move by the Transport Ministry to introduce mandatory re-testing for all drivers.
“The drivers are to blame in most of the accidents being reported daily. Mandatory re-testing will weed out those drivers who were licensed through dubious means,” said Kamwaro.