Public transport in Kenya

There was once sanity in the matatu sector thanks to the famous ‘Michuki rules’, which now seem to be completely disregarded.

Matataus no longer have the prescribed yellow line outlining the route they ply and the SACCO they belong to; neither are they fitted with. seat belts and the speed in which most of them move you can tell that they are not fitted with speed governors.

Michuki rules, which came into effect in February 2004 also required all public vehicles including taxis, to carry a specified number of passengers and their drivers and conductors to be disciplined and to have a clean security record.

The rules, introduced by the late minister of transport, John Michuki, brought about the much-needed sanity on our roads. His efforts to reform public transport saw Michuki awarded the “Waziri Award” in the annual Kenya Human Rights and Democracy Awards by the   Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

Two decades later, Michuki’s efforts seem to have gone down the drain. Our roads are more chaotic and the matatu menace keeps ballooning! much worse we have now the bodaboda menace as well, who are becoming what Nairobians refer to as a “militia’.

Cases of road accidents due to reckless driving are on the rise; touts are also becoming notorious for assaulting passengers and in extreme cases throwing them off moving vehicles; causing death and it’s business as usual.

We need more order and regulation of Public transport in Kenya, especially in the capital, we have seen in the past that it can be done!