Police & NTSA take over matatu safety to prevent spread of Covid-19

Mumbi Mutuko

March 17, 2020 12:03 PM

Combating Coronavirus

Police & NTSA take over matatu safety to prevent spread of Covid-19

Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) James Macharia announced that Traffic Police and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) will be taking steps to monitor the public transport system.

Speaking after visiting Kenya Railways station, CS Macharia said that the NTSA and traffic cops have been mandated with guaranteeing compliance with safety precautions in PSVs in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).

“We have given directives to NTSA and the traffic police which are the agencies that will ensure compliance with the sanitisation standards we have provided,” he said.

Officers will also be stationed to ensure there is no overcrowding in trains which could lead to a rapid spread of the virus.

Passengers sanitizing hands before boarding matatu Pulse Live Kenya

Keeping passengers safe

“These agencies will be going around all bus stops, major highways inspecting vehicles and any, that will be found flouting the laid rules, will have their licence revoked,” CS Macharia said.

The government is paying close attention to the public transport system since at least 3 million people use the city’s public transport systems daily, while the trains alone carry about 35,000 people daily.

Kenya Railways has put up 20 water points at the terminus to ensure passengers wash their hands.