Mount Kenya matatu owners are hopeful that the police reforms will enable favourable working conditions on the roads.
Speaking during a consultative meeting in Thika, the Mt Kenya Matatu owners chairperson Lufas Kariuki raised concerns over the invasion of the Matatu industry by private cars, an issue that the traffic department has remained mum about.
Kariuki said he is optimistic the recent police structure changes will also come with new changes on the roads.
"Sienta and Probox cars are now famous as the new form of transport mostly in Nanyuki, Meru and Embu and are very unsafe and illegal to operate as public service vehicles. The private vehicles operating as PSVs have to have a valid third party insurance and other specific requirements by the NTSA," said Kariuki
He argued that the said vehicles should be used as taxis, adding that the cars which are prone to overloading are allowed up to four passengers only.
"The police have been enforcing on the matatus to carry capacity passengers while the Probox and Sienta have been ferrying passengers on the trunk while it's even open," added Kariuki.
According to Wanja Karuku, the Matatu Owners; Association chairperson in Tharaka Nithi County, the public transport sector has been invaded by school buses.
He urged the government to ban school buses from being hired.
"The school buses were painted yellow and prohibited from being hired. We are asking the traffic commandant and the commissioner of police to crack down on school heads who are hiring out their buses to be used as PSVs. The matatu Saccos are now collapsing as the members cannot sustain their loans due to such issues," said Wanja.
On his part, Muranga Matatu Owners' Association chairperson Francis Manyeki told journalists that there has been confusion on the highway since the introduction of KENHA traffic officers.
He cited lack of coordination and a chain of command, and asked the government to educate them on where to lodge a complaint should there be a problem.
He, however, was optimistic with the recent police reforms, saying that they may come with some changes and sanity in the Kenyan roads.