Matatu saccos warned over drunk drivers

bDrivers and conductors of public service vehicles (PSVs) found drunk while on duty will have their licences and badges permanently revoked.

According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), they would also be forced to undergo fresh training and testing.

Director-General Francis Meja, while expressing concern about the increased number of PSV crew who have been caught working while drunk, said 19 drivers and conductors were arrested last month and charged in court.

"This is a dangerous trend where PSV drivers and conductors who are entrusted with the safe transportation of passengers have been apprehended by the police and the authority's enforcement teams.

"The authority wishes to remind all PSV operators of their responsibility to vet their drivers and ensure that anyone allowed to drive a public service vehicle possesses the right level of skills, training and attitude," Mr Meja said in a statement sent to newsrooms on Thursday.

Many of the drivers and conductors arrested were on various routes in Nairobi, Mombasa and central Kenya.

Among the matatu saccos whose crew were found to have been drunk while at work are Eastern Bypass, Humisa, Nazigi, Somat Safaris, Nuclear, 4NTE, Geno, Kiwanja and Super Highway.

Mr Meja said that the responsibility of making applications for PSV badges for drivers and conductors has now been placed with the public transport companies and PSV saccos.

This measure is aimed at ensuring the licensed operators remain fully accountable for their drivers and conductors, he explained.

"Furthermore, a licensed operator has an obligation to ensure only roadworthy vehicles are allowed on the road, besides ensuring that each vehicle maintains a valid Road Service License.

"At NTSA, we are on high alert over preventable road crash cases, especially those involving public service vehicles and we are conducting day and night operations on compliance and road safety," said Mr Meja.