Matatu Industry: Investor Nazir Jinnah’s Calls For Action Ahead Of December Festivities

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 14- Kenya’s Matatu sector is a multi-billion industry but one grappling with a myriad of challenges.

According to available government statistics, the industry generates a whooping KSh200 billion in revenue annually while offering employment to one million people.

Efforts to restore order in the industry have always been futile.

Nazir Jinnah, a Kenyan-based investor, has called for urgent attention to the industry and more so now when millions of Kenyans will be traveling across the country, to mark the December festivities.

According to statistics by the National Transport Safety Authority, Kenya loses more than 3,000 lives annually to road accidents.

With safety concerns on the rise, Nazir Jinnah is calling for immediate action to ensure safer transportation standards.

Nazir Jinnah asserts, "Safety should be paramount in our transportation system. We must invest in newer, safer vehicles to protect the lives of those who rely on matatus daily. It's not just about convenience; it's about ensuring every journey is a safe journey."

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has recently tried to revive efforts to reform the sector.

He has since met several stakeholders with a focus on exploring various ways through which the industry can be streamlined to ensure the professionalism of the highest order.

It also sought to identify ways to transform the industry from an informal to a formal sub-sector regulated by set codes of conduct and policy guidelines.

“This would create better working terms for employees, uphold professionalism in the handling of passengers, and promote efficiency in its management and operations," CS Murkomen said.

"We will be engaging further with all industry players and the public with a view to concretize agreeable reforms that would enhance proficiency, safety, and reliability."

Many vehicles, now exceeding their intended capacity, have undergone modifications that contribute to overcrowding and pose potential safety hazards on the nation's roads.

The aging fleet, a significant portion of which is over two decades old, raises alarming concerns regarding passenger safety.

“The pressing issue now demands a holistic approach to ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers,” Jinnah said.

To secure safer journeys, he said that there is an urgent call for the implementation and rigorous enforcement of stringent standards.

This includes regular vehicle inspections, adherence to maximum passenger capacities, and promoting responsible driving practices.

Similar reform efforts by various government officials have bore little or no fruit.

"By implementing and enforcing safer standards, we not only save lives but also elevate the matatu sector to be a symbol of reliable and secure transportation for all Kenyans,” he said.