In a rare move, the largest matatu SACCO in Naivasha pulled over 200 vehicles from the road for two days to address road safety for their passengers following advice from the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA).
The New Naivasha United Services (NNUS) which mainly plies the Nairobi-Naivasha route decided to undertake a refresher course for all its 400 drivers in a bid to curb road accidents.
Following this, tens of passengers were stranded in various matatu termini.
Addressing the press, NNUS chairman Peter Gakunga was quick to note that the all their vehicles had complied with all traffic rules.
He, however, said some drivers need refresher courses after two fatal accidents in the last three months caused by careless driving.
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Accidents
“We have called for a refresher course on Saturday for all our drivers so that the issue of road safety can be addressed and we ask our customers to be patient for two days,” he said.
The group vice chairman James Njuguna pointed an accusing finger at some drivers but admitted that the course was called to address a rise in road accidents.
He denied that the drivers were on strike, adding that NTSA had not banned them but they were keen to address the safety of their passengers.
“Drivers need to change their attitude towards customers who are our employers and hence the need for the training,” he said.
One of the drivers, Geoffrey Mburu, welcomed the move and challenged all drivers to attend.
