Machakos county commissioner John Ondego has told the public to take the Health ministry protocols on Covid-19 seriously to save lives.
Speaking to journalists in Machakos town on Tuesday, Ondego asked residents to raise the alarm over unmasked passengers in public service vehicles.
“Get out of that vehicle. You cannot sacrifice your life for travelling a short distance. You rather be inconvenienced but save your life,” Ondego said.
He said matatu operators will be able to toe the line if the public questioned the wrong things they do.
“The pandemic is still with us, we are on our fourth wave delta variant which is dangerous and lethal,” Ondego said.
He said, police officers, manning roads should enforce the protocols and those found breaking them to face the law.
“The PSVs were recently allowed to carry full capacity having pleaded with the government due to the losses they were making. They have been allowed but must meet some minimum conditions,” Ondego said.
The administrator said they must have sanitisers, masked passengers and recommended capacities. Any excesses won’t be tolerated.
He said the wrangles among matatu saccos in Tala, Matungulu subcounty for the last two weeks had been resolved.
Ondego said all matatus in Tala must operate from the bus park which should be the picking and dropping point.
He said all the seven wrangling saccos had been designated separate passengers’ picking and dropping points within Tala bus park.
“All the saccos were given ballot papers and whatever number each picked formed the basis where they will be picking and dropping passengers from,” Ondego said.
He said the management had been asked to work together and follow the right channels in case of grievances.
Ondego warned that lawlessness won’t be allowed in the matatu industry within the county.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
