Kenya’s roads have turned deadly this August, with police now taking a tough new approach to public transport.
The National Police Service (NPS) says it is launching a massive countrywide crackdown on all matatus after a spike in deadly road accidents. Nearly 50 people have died in just two weeks.
The new police plan will include constant road checks to make sure all public service vehicles (PSVs) follow the law.
NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said on Sunday that this is not just a normal check. It is a multi-step strategy to save lives.
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“We will monitor the speed of all public service vehicles and commercial trucks. We will stop overloading of goods and passengers, arrest PSVs working outside their licensed routes, and run anti-drunk-driving operations,” Nyaga said.
Police will also remove illegal vehicle lights, confirm that drivers’ licences are valid, take unroadworthy vehicles off the road, and inspect PSV Saccos to make sure they meet safety rules.
In a heartfelt message, NPS offered condolences to grieving families. “We extend our condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and wish a quick recovery to those in hospital,” the statement read.
Police say most accidents can be avoided if people respect traffic rules. Dangerous habits like speeding, risky overtaking, drunk driving, overloading, driver fatigue, and careless pedestrian crossing are the biggest causes of death.
“It should be appreciated that life is precious and irreplaceable. To stop deaths on our roads, all transport stakeholders must play their role,” the police service added.
Passengers are also being called to action. They are urged to report reckless drivers through toll-free numbers 999, 911, or 112, the FichuakwaDCI line (0800 722 203), or the NPS WhatsApp number 0709 570 000.
The NPS says safety is not just the responsibility of drivers, but of every road user.
Authorities are promising regular inspections, targeted operations, and more road safety campaigns in the coming weeks.
The crackdown comes after two major accidents shocked the country in just days.
On Friday, more than 20 people died when a bus overturned at the Coptic Roundabout along the Kisumu-Kakamega Road.
Less than 24 hours later, another crash happened in Korompoi, Kajiado County, on the Isinya-Namanga Highway.
In this accident, a matatu and a lorry collided head-on, killing at least seven people instantly.
The NPS says such tragedies are exactly why no matatu will be spared from the ongoing crackdown.
They are also warning matatu operators that cutting corners on safety will lead to arrests, impounding of vehicles, and possible loss of PSV licences.
Passengers are being reminded that they also have the power to demand safe travel. Speaking up could save lives.
The message is clear: Kenya is losing too many lives on the road, and police are done waiting.
This August may be remembered for tragedy, but police hope it will also be remembered as the month Kenya took road safety seriously.
