Murkomen Orders Arrest Of Nairobi Matatu Driver, Conductor Caught Overloading Vehicle

The driver and conductor of a matatu captured on video driving dangerously with hanging passengers along Thika Road were arrested on Friday, December 22 following a directive by Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

The CS confirmed in a statement that the duo were arrested by officials from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) in conjunction with police officers.

The matatu was filmed by another motorist driving along the major highway with six passengers hanging dangerously outside. While some were hanging on the door, others were outside the windows.

A safety conscious road user captured an incident of dangerous driving and overloading involving a PSV.

I directed NTSA to apprehend the crew and take necessary action.

I can now report that the driver and the conductor are currently at Capitol Hill Police station.

I thank… pic.twitter.com/xEkwEYdkvu — KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) December 22, 2023

Additionally, the passengers were rowdy and noisy while blowing vuvuzelas.

"A safety-conscious road user captured an incident of dangerous driving and overloading involving a PSV. I directed NTSA to apprehend the crew and take necessary action," Murkomen stated in part.

The CS further noted that the driver and the conductor were taken to Capitol Hill Police Station awaiting arraignment in court. They are most likely to spend the entire Christmas celebrations behind bars, until Wednesday, December 27.

"I thank the public for supporting the Government and being part of the #UsalamaBarabarani conversation. It takes care and responsibility on the part of all road users to address challenges presented on our roads. 

"I call upon all of us to continue speaking out against such vices. Do not allow a reckless driver to take away the lives of innocent road users. Report incidences on our roads and action will be taken. With a united voice, we can end the needless loss of lives on our roads," stated the CS.

At the time of publication, the whereabouts of the hanging passengers were yet to be known as the duo were captured being brought before Capitol Hill Police Station.

On Thursday, December 21, Murkomen urged Kenyans to oppose instances where operators of matatus, buses or tuk-tuks overload their vehicles with passengers.

The CS stated after traffic police officers in conjunction with those from NTSA impounded a tuk-tuk along the Kisumu-Nairobi Road which was carrying eight passengers instead of the usual three.

In a video seen by Viral Tea, a passenger could be seen cramming himself into the tiny vehicle before he was instructed by the NTSA officials to step out as they counted the number of passengers who had boarded the vehicle.

"This Tuktuk was stopped by NTSA and traffic police officers while carrying eight passengers instead of the recommended three (3) on the Kisumu-Nairobi Road. Needless to say, it was dangerously overloaded," stated the CS in part.