Shocking revelations as NTSA launches road safety awareness campaign in Thika.

Central Region Deputy Manager John Parteroi (centre) leads a team of  NTSA officers in inspecting PSV vehicles in Thika on Saturday. 

Very many PSV vehicles operating within and without Thika town are faulty and have no valid documents required of them to operate and carry passengers.

This shocking and worrying revelation was unearthed on Saturday as the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) conducted a random road safety awareness campaign on matatu SACCOs operating from the various matatu termini.

The sensitisation campaign that was spearheaded by the Central Region Deputy Manager John Parteroi, Thika DCC Tom Anjere and Township MCA Andrew Kimani targeted members of the public, passengers and PSV operators.  

Among some of the faults included lack of functional speed governors, no seat belts as some had no TLB licences or some of the requisite documents such as a valid insurance cover or road licences. Some drivers and conductors were found not to possess valid documents to allow them to work as PSV operators.

Matatus operating town services were the worst hit by being unroadworthy with some having not gone for inspection for more than a year.

Parteroi encouraged PSV operators to ensure that their vehicles were compliant by following all the road safety rules.

Members of public, especially commuters using public transport to travel upcountry for the Christmas and New Year festivities were asked commuters to lodge their complaints with the body should they encounter unsatisfactory service.

“You got to demand for proper services from the crew. If you feel that the vehicle is being carelessly driven or the matatu crew mishandles you, just call our hotline numbers 0718-555-999 or 999/991 and you will be assisted immediately,” said Parteroi.

Thika DCC assure residents of adequate security saying that they had intensified police patrols both within the CBD and in the estates.

Township MCA on his part urged PSV to respect the sanctity of life and not endanger their customers out of selfishness and greed for quick money.

Saturday’s exercise comes barely a week after 18 people died near Kilimambogo after a 14-seater matatu rammed onto a lorry.

The accident elicited the ire of Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina who chided NTSA and traffic officers for the negligence that caused those unwarranted deaths.

“It is quite unfortunate that this accident happened just a short distance from where police officers had mounted their roadblock. We fail to comprehend how the matatu passed through all those roadblocks unnoticed and how it evaded NTSA without a functional speed governor,” said Wainaina at the Thika Level 5 Hospital as he assisted the victims to get emergency medical attention.