Passengers not spared in State's renewed plan to enforce 'Michuki rules'

Matatus parked along Accra Road in Nairobi. PSVs have been directed to comply with traffic rules by November 12. /FILE
Matatus parked along Accra Road in Nairobi. PSVs have been directed to comply with traffic rules by November 12. /FILE

The government on Thursday issued a directive to all PSVs to comply with all traffic laws by November 12.

It said any PSVs, drivers, saccos

and transport companies; passengers and relevant parties that fail to comply with the NTSA Act and the Traffic Act will be dealt with.

In a joint statement, Cabinet Secretaries James Macharia of Transport and his Interior counterpart Fred Matiang'i attributed the rise of road accidents to failure

by

PSVs to observe traffic rules.

It is estimated that at least 3,000 lives are lost annually in accidents on Kenyan roads.

The NTSA Act Cap 403 and Legal Notice 161 of 2003 entails the PSVs be fitted with speed limiters or governors, safety belts (seat belts) and yellow continuous

line.

The famed 'Michuki rules' requires PSV drivers and conductors to wear uniforms and PSV badges. Their photos are to be displayed prominently in the vehicle.

On October 11, the NTSA said it would carry out an age limit review of PSV drivers. This was after investigations revealed the driver of the bus that killed 56 people in the Fort Tenan accident on October 10, was 76 years old.

In July last year, NTSA and the Kenya Bureau of Standards introduced new PSV designs. The

agencies said PSV buses have poorly designed spaces between the seats.

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NTSA, in its regular reports on road carnage, has over time expressed concerns over the , the numbers worsening by the year.

"The Government is committed to curbing senseless loss of lives occasioned by blatant violation of traffic rules," Interior PS Karanja Kibicho said.

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