Matatu Saccos have been asked to vet their drivers to ascertain their qualification and ensure they have valid driving licences.
Kikuyu traffic base commander, Elizabeth Wakuloba said a driver plying the Kikuyu-Nairobi route was arrested without a driving license. She says his being allowed to drive a Sacco vehicle posed a risk to passengers, as he was not qualified to drive a Public Service Vehicle (PSV).
She said that in order to curb incidents of unskilled drivers endangering lives of innocent passengers, the management of matatu Saccos should vet drivers’ qualifications and ascertain their conduct is good.
She revealed that some of the drivers they have arrested have been engaged in different cases of flouting traffic rules saying that such habitual law-breaking drivers should never be employed by Saccos.
The traffic boss said that vetting the drivers at the Sacco level will help reduce traffic accidents associated with rogue matatu drivers.
She warned that if any unqualified driver is arrested he risks affecting the operations of the entire Sacco's fleet.
"Ensure you vet drivers and conductors as some of them made a habit of breaking traffic rules," she said on Wednesday.
She revealed that in some cases, minors have been arrested driving the matatus or acting as conductors especially during school holidays.
She said Saccos would be held responsible for such incidents.