The wreckage of a bus that collided head on with a truck, killing at least 38 people along Nakuru-Eldoret highway on Sunday, December 31, 2017. [Photo/pulselive.co.ke]
Matatu Owners Association (MOA) has faulted the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) over a new directive banning long-distance travel by public service vehicles (PSVs).
NTSA suspended the night travel following a tragic accident at Migaa near Salgaa along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway on Sunday morning that claimed the lives of at least 38 people.
"Over the recent past, our records indicate most crashes occur at night. To review the effectiveness of the current measures we have put in place to improve road safety, the authority in consultation with other relevant government agencies hereby suspends night travel for all long-distance public service vehicles from December 31, 2017," a statement signed by NTSA Director General Francis Meja indicated.
But MOA chairman Samuel Kimutai disagreed with the authority saying the association should have been consulted before the directive was issued.
"I agree that most accidents occur due to fatigue but there needs to be engagement on time when such vehicles need to be stopped from ferrying passengers," he said.
Speaking to the Standard on Monday, Kimutai said the move will not only bring inconvenience but will disrupt the economy dependent on transportation.
He said the authority should reduce the ban, to give vehicles additional ours to ferry passengers.
"The travel time need to be reviewed and allowed between 5am and 10:30pm," the MOA chairman said.
NTSA has given a strict timeline within which PSVs can operate; 6am and 7pm.