Kenya Mpya back on the road after a 2-week suspension.

Thika-Nairobi commuters have a reason to smile after Kenya Mpya Bus Company rolled back on Friday after almost two weeks following suspension by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

NTSA suspended the bus company on December 8 following a series of complaints of indiscipline and speeding by its crew. The authority had announced the action during a crackdown along Thika Superhighway targeting non-complaint public service vehicles, catching many travellers unawares.

Speaking to the press after a sensitization workshop with drivers and conductors of Kenya Mpya, NTSA Central Region Deputy Manager John Parteroi had said that the company had been given a number of conditions to fulfil before they were allowed back to business.

Among those conditions included taking the entire fleet of 100 buses for inspection to certify that they were in good condition and their speed governors were operational.

“Other than the inspection, we are here today to train their drivers and conductors on road safety matters as well as sensitizing them on courtesy on the road aimed at behavioural change,” explained Parteroi.

The DM assured them that once the company fulfilled all the conditions, NTSA would lift this suspension.

Following the ban, many commuters have been having a rough time reaching their destination.

Monday evening after the weekend suspension, their Munyu Road terminus in Nairobi was packed with hundreds of stranded commuters waiting to board a bus to Thika, some of whom had to wait till 10pm to be lucky.

The situation was not much better at the Thika main terminus in the morning and along the 42km stretch as very many stranded commuters could be seen at various bus stops on either side of the Thika Superhighway.

Those who managed to catch a bus had to pay Sh. 150 for the same distance which on a normal day is charged Sh. 70.

For the past two weeks, Thika-Nairobi commuters have been experiencing a very hectic period especially during the rush hours.

For some time now, Neo Kenya Mpya and Joy Kenya have not being sharing the Munyu Road stage in Nairobi due to internal wrangling between the two managements. Neo Kenya had been forced to start their own along Accra Road.