Interior cabinet secretary Kindiki Kithure has been faulted for “hurriedly” introducing harsh regulations in the transport sector without involving key stakeholders.
According to the Matatu Owners Association (MOA), the only way to have thorny issues in the sector addressed is through diplomacy rather than attacking the players.
It said the measures introduced to regulate the operations of public service vehicles in the country are punitive.
Last December, Kindiki launched a road safety initiative aimed at averting road accidents asking to police to fully enforce it.
The directives were on drunk driving, unlawful lights on motor vehicles, contravention of licensed public service vehicle routes and delayed removal of stalled vehicles.
Others are night operations without valid travel licences, operating without valid PSV licences, speeding and overloading of goods and excess passengers.
The campaign, according to the CS, is aimed at reducing “unacceptable high road fatalities.”
But Mutheu has poked holes into the orders, saying some were likely to create more avenues for the police officers to solicit bribes from the motorists.
“It is worth noting that each directive encourages law enforcers to solicit bribes… The public also ought to be involved and sensitized on these road safety measures,” she stated.
The MOA, she noted, was ready to partner with the government to ensure there is sanity on the roads.
