Matatu operators say the nationwide enforcement of the Michuki rules has already cost the industry at least Sh46 billion, as traffic police continue to impound non-compliant public service vehicles.
Matatu Owners Association chair Simon Kimutai said the sector is losing about Sh420 million every day because only 65 percent to 70 percent of PSVs are compliant, leaving the rest off the road for lack of the required gadgets.
He said a minibus earns an average gross income of Sh15,000 a day, while a Nissan can make about Sh10,000.
According to Kimutai, Kenya has about 80,000 PSVs, meaning only 52,000 are currently compliant with the rules, while the rest are either still being fitted or have been impounded.
Operators blame shortages of gadgets ¶
Kimutai said the main problem was not a boycott by operators but a shortage of speed governors and seat belts that meet the required standard.
“Many vehicles are parked because of lack of seat belts which cannot even last a week as they are sub-standard and there is also the issue with the availability of speed governors,” he said on Thursday at Oak Place Hotel in Kiambu.
He added that the limited supply of the gadgets was making compliance difficult across the country.
“There is no boycott by matatus but the situation has been caused by lack of enough gadgets making compliance hard to achieve,” he said.
Government says compliance is improving ¶
Transport Principal Secretary Esther Koimett said on Wednesday that compliance had improved since November 12. She said 22,900 PSV badges had been issued, 4,805 road service licences granted and 28,975 vehicles booked for inspection.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i also said on Wednesday that the crackdown would continue after 40,000 traffic offences were recorded. He said enforcement would become even stricter to ensure only compliant PSVs remain on the road.
MOA alleges harassment by traffic police ¶
Kimutai accused traffic police officers of harassing matatu operators and using fault-finding to extort money.
“Whether you are complaint or not you have to pay because they look for fault which should not be the case. They should instead ensure that safety gadgets are in place. We do not have to be harassed to comply with the law,” he said.
