Screen grab of one of the matatus being driven on the wrong side on Magadi Road enroute to Ongata Rongai. /NTSAPolice seize two Rongai matatus caught on video being driven recklessly on Magadi Road along the Lang'ata-Ongata Rongai route.
In the undated video, the vehicles are seen being driven one behind the other whilst hooting incessantly as they approached the Maasai Lodge intersection.
A number of touts are seen hanging precariously by the side of the vehicles, with three daring ones seen sitting on the roof of one of the matatus as it sped downhill on the wrong side of the road near the Mutimedia University.
All this happened in the clear view of a police officer who was controlling traffic at the Maasai Lodge junction; not even one of the touts hanging on the front bumper of one of the vehicles appeared perturbing to him.
The disturbing footage was brought to the attention of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on X.
On Thursday, the authority said the vehicles had been seized by police.
“Update: We thank you for bringing this to our attention. The two PSVs are at the police station for processing and further action,” NTSA said.
The incident is one among several others in recent days where rogue drivers were caught on video driving recklessly whilst endangering the lives of passengers and other road users.
One most recent incident occurred on Sunday, December 22 along the Makuyu-Sagana Road at Kambiti area, sparking debate online with many calling for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations.
In the viral footage circulated on social media platforms, two matatus were recorded by a motorist who was trailing them being driven side by side while swerving in zigzag and overtaking recklessly.
The vehicles were weaving past traffic at high speed with passengers peeping through windows, creating a dangerous situation for other motorists.
Police spokesperson Resila Anyango said the drivers of both vehicles were identified, with a report from the base commander, Makuyu police station confirming days later that three people had been arraigned and charged on December 27 at the Kenol Law Courts.
Police said a driver of one of the vehicles was fined Sh120,000 and and had his driving licence suspended by court for one year.
Also fined were the owner of the vehicle, a Toyota Hiace, and its conductor, who were ordered to pay Sh20,000 and Sh12,000 respectively.
The police said they managed to arrest them with the support from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
"The driver of the other PSV is still at large. We will keep you posted on any further updates," NTSA said in an update on Friday, December 27, 2024.
