Police Arrest 2 Touts Hanging Dangerously On Popular Nairobi Matatu

The National Police Service (NPS) issued a statement on Monday, October 3 after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) arrested two touts and a driver who were filmed dangerously hanging on a door of a speeding matatu plying the Nairobi CBD-Umoja route.

A video captured the two touts hanging on the matatu without fear of shying away from the camera, which went viral on Sunday, October 2 and ignited a massive uproar.

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.

One of the touts arrested after hanging dangerously on a speeding matatu. /NATIONAL POLICE SERVICE

Following the video, the NPS revealed that the duo and the driver were arrested and placed in custody ahead of further action against them.

"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 in part.

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 are ongoing to propose more deterrence action against the operator. 

"While we commend established saccos that have continued to enhance decorum and order in their fleet; earning a good reputation and respect from the public as a result, other PSV saccos are urged to follow suit by instilling discipline in their fleet and reigning strongly on rogue operators," it added.

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.

The countrywide operation will focus on specific areas of compliance check, including the use of seatbelts by passengers. It will also seek to establish Road Service Licence (RSL) validity verification for all Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) as well as PSV route compliance checks to weed out illegal PSV operators.

The enforcement exercise will also aim to verify PSV Licence and badge validity, Motor vehicle Inspection stickers for PSVs as well as commercial vehicles, monitor Fleet Speed and enforce Lane discipline to prevent overlapping and dangerous overtaking.

Police Spokesperson Bruno Shioso noted that between January 1, 2022, and September 26, 2022, a total of 15,924 victims of road crashes across the country have been recorded with 3,541 victims fatally injured and 7,236 persons seriously injured. 5,147 victims were slightly injured.

The number of fatalities this year is compared to 3,286 who perished in the same period a year, thus representing a 7.8 per cent increase.

Police spokesperson, Bruno Shioso. /FILE

"We also observe a sharp increase in fatalities among passengers and in the last one week. (18th-26th September 2022) a total of 145 persons have perished.

"From our assessment, the increase was mainly attributed to preventable and predictable factors. Non-usage of seat belts by commuters, driver behaviour such as speeding leading to loss of control in high occupancy vehicles and poor mechanical condition of vehicles resulting in brake failures and tyre bursts were some of the noted causes," Shioso noted in part.