In a departure from the past, public transport investors, employees and police in Kenya have embarked on what they are calling structured engagement to end road carnage and roll back endemic corruption, which is blamed for rising horrific incidence on roads.

Despite past efforts to restore sanity in public transport in Kenya such as mandatory seat-belts and enforcement of speed-governor laws, public transport is still under the firm grip of cartels that only subscribe to jungle laws.

Now public service vehicles (PSV) owners, industry trade union and traffic police say they are embarking on a long-term strategy to weed the industry of criminality as they make public transport a first-choice mode of travel.

Consequently, it was resolved that a liaison committee that comprises and Matatu Workers Union (MWU), FPTS and Traffic Police Department be established to address key issues affecting the sector and spearhead initiatives end road carnage.

Some of the strategies they are considering, they say, will have a domino effect on private car owners and users, who are equally guilty of notoriety.

On Tuesday, PSV owners and employees said are on a journey to clean the transport sector’s negative image by enforcing discipline to stamp out corruption, criminality and ensure safety the roads.

Following a daylong meeting with the traffic police chiefs and Matatu Workers Union in Nairobi on Tuesday, the industry players resolved to forestall potential risks and make public transport a pleasant experience for travellers, vehicle owners and overworked traffic police – who often get the flak for runaway corruption on Kenyan roads.

In a statement sent out in the evening after the meeting, the parties disclosed they “explored areas of collaboration to transform public transport sector and create a reliable, safe and sustainable transport ecosystem through structured partnerships and joint implementation strategies.”

Among other things, the meeting resolved to launch joint road safety campaigns and the “establishment of a joint liaison and coordination committee.”

The meeting was attended by Matatu Workers Union officials (MWU) led by General Secretary Maurice Oduor, newly-appointed Traffic Commandant Benjamin Mwanthi and his deputy Kipkemoi Kirui, Police Officer in Charge of Operations John Nyoike and the Officer in Charge of Traffic Nairobi Area Joseph Chirchir.

The meeting recommended collaboration between industry players to transform public transport sector and to create a reliable, safe and sustainable transport system through structured partnerships and joint implementation strategies.”

Matatu Workers Union leadership re-committed to immediately start educating its members on the importance of wearing official uniform and carrying all requisite documents while on duty; avoiding dangerous hanging on moving vehicles and ensuring passenger safety by keeping vehicle doors properly secured while in motion.”

They also undertook to refrain from carrying excess passengers and to avoid confrontations with commuters, besides desisting from overtaking in undesignated sides of the road like walkways and driving on the wrong side of the road, among other critical road safety measures.

“Through this collaborative approach, we are confident that together we can reduce road accidents by over 50 per cent, making our roads safer for workers, commuters and all road users,” the statement said.

• A Tell Media report / By Samini Juma