The Matatu Owners Association and the Road Safety Association of Kenya have accused the government of turning a blind eye to ‘systemic corruption’ and ‘negligence’, leading to recent deadly road crashes.
Speaking on Spice FM on Tuesday, August 12, Albert Karakacha, President of the Matatu Owners Association, faulted Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir for only engaging stakeholders on financial matters and relegating road safety issues.
“The new CS isn’t listening to us. We need continuous road safety campaigns, not reactive measures after deaths have occurred,” Karakacha said.
“When it comes to putting up toll stations, the CS is ready to sit with us and talk. But when we talk about saving lives, they are not available.”
Road Safety Association of Kenya Chairman David Njoroge echoed his sentiments, citing government user charges targeting motorists.
“We are losing people on the roads every day, but their priority is to make money from motorists through tolls,” Njoroge said.
According to Karakacha, corruption during driver licensing and vehicle inspections has led to unqualified drivers and unroadworthy vehicles on various routes, posing danger to road users.
“People are getting driving licences without going to driving schools. They just bribe their way through,” he said, adding, “NTSA is allowing unroadworthy vehicles to pass inspection; some of them have fake safety belts, and others have weak frames that cannot withstand accidents.”
While investigations follow each accident, the operators said that they barely address the root causes of the carnages.
“Mechanical defects, poor training, and corruption are rarely looked at. The NTSA is failing in its role to enforce laws and audit accidents properly,” Njoroge said.
At the same time, vehicle operators have been blamed for prioritising profits over passenger welfare.
Further involvement of police officers and influential public figures, such as politicians, has compromised the enforcement of traffic rules due to conflicts of interest and favouritism.
