The new matatu safety guidelines announced by the National Transport and Safety Authority on Friday have been greeted with mixed reactions by a section of residents in Nakuru town.
While some residents on Monday welcomed the move as spot on, others dismissed them as unnecessary and ill timed.
"The new regulations will ensure that we travel in a conducive environment free of vulgar graffiti and blaring noise," noted Joseph Kariuki.
However, Denver Kirui says such rules won't help much. "Since when did graffiti cause accidents. These rules are simply punitive and not meant to remedy anything," he noted.
His sentiments were echoed by Jasper Ronald, who noted that most youths were attracted to matatus playing loud music.
Ronald further noted that it will be needless to therefore force such matatus to do a way with the only headstart they have in the industry.
The new guidelines announced by the authority's chair Lee Kinyanjui sought to rid off matatus with lewd graffiti or those that advocate for radicalisation, noisy horns and exhausts as well as those that do not clearly display their saccos.
Matatus were given a grace period of three days to ensure they comply with the new guidelines or else they be barred from operating starting Monday (today)