Letters to the Editor:______________________
Though the minister for Transport Mr Ali Chirau Mwakwere claims that the never-ending chaos in the matatu industry in the country are exaggerated, he needs to pay a visit to the matatus plying the Kayole route in Nairobi.
He will witness the mayhem caused by matatu owners and operators, who have defied all the rules in the book.
Mwakwere, who has confessed to owning a fleet of matatus and which he says are some of the best managed and maintained in the country, should board the Kayole ones and learn for himself the latest tricks they have employed to evade the laws.
Most of the matatus designed to carry a maximum of 29 passengers have added another row of seats to increase their capacity to 35.
Surprisingly, these matatus have not had their bodies widened to accommodate additional passengers.
This is despite the fact that a Transport Licensing Board (TLB) permit, marked in bold letters on these matatus clearly indicates that they are licensed to carry 29 and not 35 passengers.
The TLB ought to shed light on this issue. Is someone sleeping on their job. Does the insurance cover 29 or 35 passengers?
If the comfort of passengers does not matter to the matatu operators, does it matter to the guardian of the transport rules?
Where are the traffic police department officers on this route or are they part of the conspirancy?
___________________
Simon Wanyoike,
Nairobi
Though the minister for Transport Mr Ali Chirau Mwakwere claims that the never-ending chaos in the matatu industry in the country are exaggerated, he needs to pay a visit to the matatus plying the Kayole route in Nairobi.
He will witness the mayhem caused by matatu owners and operators, who have defied all the rules in the book.
Mwakwere, who has confessed to owning a fleet of matatus and which he says are some of the best managed and maintained in the country, should board the Kayole ones and learn for himself the latest tricks they have employed to evade the laws.
Most of the matatus designed to carry a maximum of 29 passengers have added another row of seats to increase their capacity to 35.
Surprisingly, these matatus have not had their bodies widened to accommodate additional passengers.
This is despite the fact that a Transport Licensing Board (TLB) permit, marked in bold letters on these matatus clearly indicates that they are licensed to carry 29 and not 35 passengers.
The TLB ought to shed light on this issue. Is someone sleeping on their job. Does the insurance cover 29 or 35 passengers?
If the comfort of passengers does not matter to the matatu operators, does it matter to the guardian of the transport rules?
Where are the traffic police department officers on this route or are they part of the conspirancy?
___________________
Simon Wanyoike,
Nairobi
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