Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered with immediate effect the nationwide crackdown on illegal Public Transport Vehicles (PSV)
The CS directed the National Transport and Safety Authority in collaboration with the National Police Service to conduct the exercise.
Murkomen said the move is part of the ongoing efforts to streamline operations and bring order and sanity to the public transport sector.
"This directive is aimed at addressing growing cases where private vehicles are illegally converted into PSVs without adhering to the mandatory regulations and compliance measures governing public transport," he said.
The CS spoke during the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) National Delegates Conference in Nairobi on Thursday.
He noted the immense contribution that the matatu sector plays in growing the country's economy, and the available opportunities to mainstream the sector and make it more profitable and better organised.
"To this end, the Government has instituted an array of measures aimed at improving the operational environment of the industry including the establishment of Transport Saccos to enhance self-regulation," he said.
Other measures the transport ministry has put in place are; replacing the driver retesting programme with the Driver Development Programme as a booster course to impart drivers with complimentary and professional skills, and developing a roadmap towards the launch of a cashless payment system to tame leakages, stop corruption on the roads and promote accountability.
"We are working with stakeholders in the sub-sector to fast-track a shift from petrol and diesel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles to combat climate change."
