Tension mounts as the Matatu SACCO linked to the tragic deaths of 12 people in Arimi, Elburgon, along the busy Njoro-Molo road faces an imminent suspension.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) announced that all vehicles belonging to the Nakuru Kiambogo Sacco, involved in the recent fatal accident, will undergo rigorous inspections to determine their roadworthiness and condition.

Speaking in Njoro, NTSA Road Safety Manager Samuel Musumba said the agency has conducted an investigation, with preliminary findings indicating the driver caused the accident through reckless behaviour, despite being familiar with the road.

“Every road has a new story every day; therefore, don’t take it for granted when you are behind the wheel, and we can see the error he made when he was on that road," he said.

Musumba said they are inspecting the vehicle involved in the accident, as well as all vehicles from the sacco, to ensure they meet roadworthiness standards.

He added that all drivers from the Sacco will be evaluated to identify skill gaps and help improve overall safety.

“Soon we are going to release the report on what was the state of the vehicle because how can a vehicle just roll and kill all the occupants?” he asked.

Musumba said the agency is working to professionalise the transport sector, encouraging operators to view it as a career rather than a last option for those marginalised by society.

He added that driving in Kenya has often been seen as a fallback for individuals who have struggled to succeed in other areas, rather than a respected profession.

“We want to revolutionise this sector to ensure that people take driving as a serious profession and as such, in our new curriculum, we are setting standards where people can have entry and rise to the highest level," he said.

The officer said they are working to enforce age restrictions for drivers to prevent inexperienced young people from operating buses or trailers, aiming to promote professional compliance over time.

He added that the agency is also proposing a points-based system, similar to those used in professions like law and accounting, to ensure only qualified and responsible individuals advance in the sector and maintain safety.

The Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said that the government will dispatch the Ministry of Roads and public works engineers to assess the black spot and recommend alterations to its designs to avert further deaths.

Musumba said mental health issues are becoming a growing concern in the sector, affecting drivers' ability to maintain sound judgment and stay safe on the roads.

“Part of the strategy in our training institutions of driving is enforcing mental health education to ensure that drivers can manage their wellbeing and save lives on the road”, he said.

Source: TUKO.co.ke