Polisi nchini Kenya washutumiwa kusababisha nauli za Matatu kupanda mara 3 zaidi, sababu ya rushwa.

The crackdown on public service vehicles that have not complied with the famous ‘Michuki rules’ has been called off after a meeting between matatu operators and Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet.

This came after two days of suffering when traffic police officers in Nairobi intensified clampdown on matatus that netted close to 1,000 vehicles ahead of the November 12 deadline.

“We talked to the police chief and he agreed to suspend the crackdown. We all agreed that commuters were suffering for mistakes of others,” Matatu Owners Association chairman Simon Kimutai said on Monday.

Drivers complained of heavy traffic on major roads leading to the city centre despite the absence of matatus.

“Police are taking advantage of the situation to demand huge bribes. They have been using unmarked vehicles to block matatus and even escorting them to police stations without informing drivers and conductors of their mistakes,” Mr Richard Kanoru, the Matatu Transport Vehicles Association secretary general, said.

He added that when drivers are freed on bail, the vehicles are not released.

Tens of vehicles belonging to several saccos were parked at Kasarani police station yesterday.

Mr Kanoru said rogue operators were behind the increase in fares.

The rules require PSVs to have seat belts, speed governors and a yellow line on the body.

Drivers and conductors are required to be in uniform and their pictures prominently displayed in the vehicles.

Mr Kanoru blamed “cartels” for allowing drivers and conductors to get on the road without uniforms and using vehicles with faulty speed limiters.

“It is the fault of law enforcers. Outside Nairobi, they let saloons operate as PSVs. These vehicles are to blame for the increasing accidents, not matatus,” he told the Nation.

Source: The Nation