Nairobi Court Warns Matatu Sacco Behind Viral Stunt Video

The Makadara Law Courts put the Umoinner matatu Sacco plying the Nairobi-Umoja route on the spot after it sentenced a rogue driver and matatu tout filmed dangerously hanging on a door of one of its speeding matatus.

The duo were punished and charged Ksh130,000 cash bail upon their release, with the driver ordered to pay Ksh100,000 cash bail or Ksh200,000 bond and the tout Ksh30,000.

The judge warned that the Sacco as well as the drivers' licences would be revoked, amongst other disciplinary measures enforced upon sentencing.

The duo were charged with dangerous and reckless behaviour while driving, and failing to wear the specific uniform while on duty. Drivers are mandated to wear a blue uniform at work while touts are expected to be dressed in a maroon uniform.

An image of the Makadara Law Courts. /FACEBOOK

They were also charged with driving without proper documentation and failure to display a personal photograph as directed.

The driver pleaded guilty while the tout denied all the charges levelled against him. The tout was among two others who were performing the dangerous stunt, with the parking boy kicking an adjacent vehicle the matatu sped past.

The ordeal was highlighted on the Sikika Road Safety Facebook page which also uncovered the details of the matatu belonging to Umoinner Sacco registered as KDH 112E dubbed Opposite, as well as the identity of one of the touts.

"Following a video that went viral on social media depicting two bus conductors dangerously displaying acrobatic antics on a moving public service vehicle, we wish to inform the public that the suspects including the bus driver have since been arrested and are in custody pending arraignment on various traffic violations. 

"The National Police Service condemns such reckless and irresponsible conduct by the bus crew that exposed passengers and other road users to danger. Such conduct will not be condoned and stern action will be taken against anyone in contravention," the NPS stated on Monday, October 3.

The police thanked the public for promptly volunteering information that led to the identification of the vehicle, the crew and the Sacco under which the vehicle operates. It added that further engagements were ongoing to propose more deterrence action against the operator. 

The compliance drive by the National Police Service in partnership with the National Safety and Transport Authority (NTSA) is still ongoing across the country to ensure compliance with traffic rules and regulations is enforced.

NTSA traffic rules in Kenya describe tough penalties on matatus hooting on the highway as well as carrying individuals with a part of the bodies outside the vehicle 

For hooting, the owner is fined Ksh3,000 while travelling with part of a body part outside the vehicle attracts an instant fine of Ksh1,000.

NPS collaborated with NTSA for a nationwide crackdown on motorists after expressing concern regarding the increase in road accidents leading to fatalities.

Police spokesperson, Bruno Shioso. /FILE