Motorists who will be dropping and picking passengers indiscriminately along the streets of Kisii town will face the full force of the law, a senior official has warned.
The move will see matatu operators who are fond of dropping and picking passengers in undesignated areas face ‘court proceedings’ and pay hefty fines if convicted by transport officials from the county.
On Tuesday, police boss Ken Mong’are said the issue was long overdue and it aims at instilling discipline amongst matatu operators who have been accused of violating the rule despite the town having sign posts regulating the same.
“We have tolerated this impunity for a long time and time has come for us to act on this evil. It is quite unfortunate that people can see or hear warnings but fail to adhere to them,” an angry Mong’are said.
“The transport officials from our department will be out to enforce the rule for the sake of order and sanity in our county. Those who will not comply will face prosecution and if convicted, a fine will be paid,” he added.
If the rule is successfully implemented, convicted will pay up to Sh10,000 besides being banned from operating within the CBD for a period of three months.
However, the move has not gone down well with a section of motorists who have termed the rules as ‘draconian’ and a violation of the constitution.
“These are useless rules that only apply in the jungle. We are daring them to do so and will thereafter realise that Kisii is in Kenya,” said driver Elijah Ongaki.