NTSA accused of defying court
What you need to know:
- This means the vehicles will not be issued with Transport Licensing Board permits, throwing public transport in disarray at the end of the month.
- “As an association, we are shocked at the impunity and disrespect of the law. We are rushing to comply with the law but NTSA is stopping us, even with a court injunction,” Mr Badawi said.
- He added that without inspection stickers, the vehicles would be grounded, paralysing transport and ruining more than 3,000 jobs.
The National Transport and Safety Authority has refused to inspect more than 300 matatus and buses fitted with Frotcom speed governors.
This means the vehicles will not be issued with Transport Licensing Board permits, throwing public transport in disarray at the end of the month.
Coast Union of PSV Association Chairman Mohammed Badawi yesterday said the authority, the Transport Ministry and the Kenya Bureau of Standards refused to inspect the vehicles, saying they did not recognise Frotcom gadgets.
Mr Badawi said the 300 matatus, which are part of the 630 PSVs owned by 37 saccos have been turned away from Miritini Vehicle Inspection Centre.
He accused the state agencies of disrespecting a High Court order allowing them to operate, pending a determination of the speed governors’ effectiveness.
“As an association, we are shocked at the impunity and disrespect of the law. We are rushing to comply with the law but NTSA is stopping us, even with a court injunction,” Mr Badawi said.
GROUNDED
He added that without inspection stickers, the vehicles would be grounded, paralysing transport and ruining more than 3,000 jobs.
Affected Saccos include Faulu, Alwalim, Sabaki and Mnawar.
Through a joint advert in the dailies on January 30, the state agencies suspended 11 speed limiter types, among them Frotcom.
The company moved to court to challenge the decision, saying Kebs, the Transport Ministry and the authority had tested and approved their gadgets for use.
The High Court issued an order on February 6, restraining the agencies from taking any step until the case was heard and determined.
However, NTSA Deputy Communications Director Dominic Kabiru said the transporters did not understand the orders issued by the High Court which only allowed them to file complaints, but the status quo remained.
