The Matatus can strike from here to hell and wherever else they want but one thing they can be sure of is that the rest of us sane Kenyans will not allow the new rules to overturned. I know that some of my most ardent readers matatu owners or even crews but f**K that, if you think what I’m saying is wrong then find something else to read.
After all when Michuki rules were brought you did the same…I remember walking to school on several days coz of your madness but then again that did not prevent the laws from being implemented.
I know that
matatus play a very important role in our public transport system but their operators should remove their heads from where they have buried them way up their asses and notice that the world and most definitely Kenya does not revolve around them.
 |
| We might have to endure such scenes for a few more days but it will all be worth it in the end |
While writing this I am very sure that whoever coined the new act did not have punishing the matatu operators in mind but rather bringing sanity back to our roads and this cuts across the board to even personal car drivers who have total disregard for sanity on the roads and in many cases put their passengers and other road users’ lives at risk.
I used to be such an inconsiderate driver not more than 5 months ago until I lost my aunt to a road accident that was caused by a stupid driver who hit the motor bike she was riding on…but it dint sink to me instantly still. In fact while I was going for her burial in the company of four other friends namely Betty Nayawira, Denno, Caro and Dozzie I was drunk driving – I had been drinking since 10.00 am and I went to pick my friends up around 4 pm and was to drive about 300KM to my aunts place on a very busy highway.
At one point as I was driving on the Kisumu – Nairobi road I got out of the road coz I was not paying much attention to it but was lucky to get back in without any incident, but my passengers were not amused. At some point they had to talk me out of the driver’s seat so that Denno could drive for the rest of the journey – it wasn’t an easy thing giving away the steering but I remember Betty saying to me: “you don’t have to insist on driving us there while the only thing you are going to do is get us killed.” I must say that was one of the best advices a friend has ever given me.
Everybody used to complain about my driving when I am under the influence but no one ever challenged me to get out of the wheel but Betty and her friends did and as much as it bruised my ego it marked a changing point in my life. When we got to my aunt’s place and what careless driving is capable of doing sank to me I promised myself never to drink and drive again – if I wasn’t going to do it for the sole reason of being an obedient citizen with regard to the lives of other road users and my passengers, I was going to do it to honour my aunts memory.
So I no longer drink and drive, my friends commend my driving and in many cases I even drop people home from clubs but we do not all have to loose our dear aunts to start observing traffic rules. The rules and regulations are here to protect our lives and those of other road users.
If the price we have to pay to have sanity back on our roads is walking to and from work for a few days then so be it. I use public transport too and I am ready to walk let all the
matatus and
tuktuks and motorbikes go on strike all over the country but these laws will be here to stay.
THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW LAWS:
➢ Ownership of vehicle registration plates would be given to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
➢ In the event that the ownership of a vehicle changes, the registration plates are to be surrendered to the registrar of motor vehicles first. Failure to do so would attract a fine not exceeding KES 30 000, and a subsequent KES 10 000 for every month the law is not observed.
➢ Driver’s licence holders would have to undergo eye tests every three years. They would need to present a medical practitioner’s report in order to renew their licence. People failing to adhere to this requirement would be disqualified from holding a licence for three years.
➢ Driving under the influence would attract a penalty of 10 years in jail or a minimum of KES 500 000 fine, or both.
➢ Overlapping, driving on pavements and pedestrian walkways or using petrol stations to avoid traffic would get you a three month prison term or a fine of KES 30 000, or both.
➢ The licence of a person found guilty of exceeding speed limits would be invalid for not less than 3 years if the limit is exceeded by up to 10 KPH or if the offense is repeated more than three times.
➢ The Inspector General of Police would designate areas where Police will be required to erect roadblocks.
➢ There will be road signs showing the prescribed speed limits.
➢ PSV drivers and conductors would be required to wear badges and uniforms. In addition, the PSV drivers would be required to do a compulsory competence test every two years.
➢ Motorcycles would have to be insured against third party risks and the riders would be compelled to wear helmets and reflector jackets. Penalties for contravening this law would attract a KES 10 000 fine or a one-year jail term.
