by Chris Mgidu and Bedah Mengo
NAIROBI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Passengers in some parts of Kenya were stranded on Monday as authorities moved to enforce public transport safety rules.
Commuters across the country woke up to a transport crisis as public service vehicle operators commonly known as "matatus" kept off the roads to protest the re-introduction of the traffic rules.
In Nairobi, commuters woke up to a transport crisis with many being forced to walk to their destinations while others had to seek alternative means of transport.
A spot check on major routes showed thousands were trekking to their destinations to beat the operation. This had caused transport crisis in parts of the country and especially urban areas.
The few public service vehicles that were in operation had more than doubled the normal fares to make a killing from the crisis.
Few public service vehicles that were in operation after complying with the rules hiked or doubled their fares to various destinations.
While some of the commuters decided to walk, hundreds waited at the termini stranded and helpless. "There are no vehicles in our area," said Norbert Muthini, a student who stays in Zimmerman in Nairobi.
"I was at this terminus by 5:45 a.m. but over two hours later, I have not found a vehicle," he added, capturing the plight of thousands of city residents.
"I was lucky to get a matatu to the city center but I paid 200 Kenyan Shillings (about 2 U.S. dollars), more than double the fare from Komarock," said journalist Vincent Otieno.
However, he ended up with a torn trouser because they scrambled to enter the vehicle.
Police last month announced that they will start to enforce the tough rules that had initially been ignored on Monday.
The rules include all vehicles should have working seat belts, speed governors, drivers and touts put on uniforms, no loud music or grafitti inside or outside the vehicles and each vehicle must have life savers.
Anyone who fails to wear seatbelts would part with 5 dollars fine while failure to stop when ordered 100 dollars, according to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), which on Sunday reminded the public of the rules.
Fred Matiang'i, cabinet secretary for interior and coordination of national government and inspector-general of police Joseph Boinnet vowed on Sunday that they will not back down in keeping the roads safer.
"I will not cow to threats of strike from matatus. If you don't comply, stay away from roads," he said.
Some 4,000 police officers backed by 10,000 others from different departments were expected to enforce the rules. Public service vehicles account for most accidents that are recorded in the country annually.
Trains that usually operate on few routes in Nairobi were full of passengers. Passengers were seen scrambling to board the trains that were available.
After the officials announced the enforcement of the law, the Federation of Public Transport Operators declared their members will pull their vehicles off the roads in protest against the traffic guidelines they are required to comply with.
But some operators who have complied with the rules were on the roads. Both Matiangi and James Macharia, cabinet secretary for transport and infrastructure, said Monday they will not relent.
"Any PSV vehicle, drivers, SACCOs/transport companies, passengers and other relevant parties that fail to comply with the provisions of the NTSA Act and the Traffic Act will be firmly dealt with in accordance with the law," they said.
Boinnet said on Monday the police have checked and found out some operators had withdrawn from the roads or boycotted and vowed to sustain the operation.
"Some people might think we are joking or will relent after a while. We will stay the course until we restore sanity on the roads," said Boinnet.
Officers Commanding Stations have also been ordered to take charge of the operations at their areas of jurisdiction as part of efforts to ensure compliance and accountability.
Among the rules matatus must comply with is fitting their vehicles with speed governors, safety belts and continuous yellow lines and for drivers and conductors to wear uniforms and PSV badges, and prominently display their photos.
Matatu Owners Association boss Simon Kimutai has opposed the crackdown, saying the crackdown witnessed had forced many matatu operators to keep their vehicles off the road for fear of arrest while advocating for dialogue to solve road issues.
"If there is a problem, which I can't deny, the traffic department should be sensitive on how to address it."
The situation was no different in various parts of the east African nation as public buses kept of the road.
The early morning traffic jams that usually grip the towns and cities across the country were missing as hundreds of matatus remained parked in residential areas.
In Kakamega, Calvin Musanga, who works in Kisumu and commutes daily, said there were no vehicles to the lake side city.
"I have been forced to return home because there are no vehicles. I will take a two-day leave to monitor the situation because even if I go there, I am not assured that I will get a vehicle for my return journey," he said.
The situation was no different in Nakuru, Meru, Kericho, Busia and Mombasa, among other towns, where passengers were stranded.
"It is either you walk or go back home. Today is that day when you wish that you could be owning a helicopter so that you avoid such inconveniences," said Rachel Muriuki, a business lady dealing in honey, who was to travel from Nairobi for an appointment.
There were little options for commuters as taxi-hailing operators namely Uber, Taxify and Little Cab, just like matatus, doubled their fares following increased demand.
However, even as they were inconvenienced and suffered on the road, Kenyans supported the government efforts to keep the roads safe.
"I support the streamlining of our public transport system. We should not compromise; let those matatu operators who feel the sector is over-regulated shift to airlines. Police should not back down," said Blamuel Ndiema, contributing to the debate on social media.
Andrew Franklin, a security analyst, noted that matatu operators have no right to keep unsafe vehicles on the road.
"It is absurd that operators are demanding a right to operate unsafe vehicles. That is institutionalized impunity," said Franklin.
Latest NTSA statistics show that at least 3,000 people have died since the start of the year in road accidents, with public transport vehicles being one of the largest contributors to the carnage.
