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Kisii: Matatu operators fault gov’t over new digital speed limiters

Sunday, March 19th, 2023 15:35 | By
Matatu
Stop signage. PHOTO/Courtesy

Matatu operators in Kisii county have faulted the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) over a move to introduce new digital speed limiters or governors, saying it will impoverish them.

Led by Monica Nyaboke, the operators said since the time of the late Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS), John Michuki, the authority has changed the limiters three times. They decried that the limiters were expensive to operators given the current economic times and hiking prices of fuel.

“The limiters cost Ksh30,000 and we have to renew them annually at a cost of Ksh7,000. We urge the government to provide software, modify the system and link it to the NTSA for easy monitoring," Nyaboke told People Daily.

During a meeting between the operators and NTSA in Kisii town, the authority’s officials told them to prepare to embrace new speed governors set to be introduced into the market.

Nyaboke said if the government keeps on changing speed governors, it will impoverish the operators and force them out of the business.

She underscored that the current speed governors show the fuel gauge, speed and stage, stressing that they are effective and only required to be modified.

Nyaboke said the high cost of fuel had forced the operators to increase fares, which forced small-scale traders to walk for long distances to markets to sell their goods.

"The matatu business is low due to poverty. We urge the government to reduce the price of fuel to ease the suffering of Kenyans," she added.

At the same time, Nyaboke urged the Azimio la Umoja leaders to embrace peaceful protests. She implored security officers to ensure people and their properties were safeguarded.

She challenged the matatu operators to be careful and proactive to avoid incidents which might affect their businesses and livelihoods.

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