Most of the digital speed governors installed a few months ago in public service vehicles are faulty! This is according to Matatu Welfare Association (MWA) chairman Mr Dickson Mbugua. Speaking today at a media briefing, Mr Mbugua faulted several measures put in place by the government to curb road accidents, saying they are not sustainable. “Eighty percent of the digital speed governors are no longer working.
The companies that were cleared by Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) did a shoddy job and as matatu owners we feel this was a rip-off,” Mr Mbugua noted. “In fact, the companies do not have maintenance departments.” Mr Mbugua revealed that some matatus display speed governor stickers yet they haven’t installed the devices. Other issues include the implementation of cashless fare payment, which MWA termed another cartel to fleece the public.
“There is need for piloting for at least three months before the cashless payment system is fully implemented. Once this is done figures must be tabled before we conduct a countrywide roll-out.” The public needs to be assured of security of their money and the government needs to define clear roles of the technology providers as well as transacting banks, said Michael Kariuki, Mt Kenya Matatu Owners Association chairman.
The matatu owners also expressed concern on the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Metropolis and five counties to bring their buses to help commuting in the counties, saying that this may affect their business. With High Court judge George Odunga declaring the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) laws illegal, the matatu owners questioned the motive behind the law that requires matatus to pursue a special hire permit from the authority.
“Some of these government bodies do not have offices in the grassroots and we are forced to travel to Nairobi to get these permits even when going for a burial,” said Mr Kariuki.
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