The driver of the rogue matatu which was captured on video swerving recklessly has been handed a hefty fine, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has revealed.
In a statement, NTSA indicated that three other suspects including the matatu owner were charged and subsequently fined after the video clip went viral.
In an update on Friday, NTSA broke down the fines imposed on all involved parties, with the driver of the viral matatu getting slapped with the heftiest sanction. According to NTSA, the driver, who was being held at the Makuyu Police Station, was fined Ksh120,000 and had his driver’s licence revoked for at least a year.
The owner of the matatu was also fined Ksh20,000 while the conductor received a Ksh12,000 fine.
An image of a rogue matatu driver after being nabbed for swerving dangerously on a highway. PHOTO/Courtesy.
On December 23, the Authority was made aware of a harrowing video showing two PSV aimlessly swerving from left to right in what appeared to be a climbing lane.
In the video, one of the PSVs appeared to be overloaded, with several of its passengers hanging from the windows as the vehicle recklessly switched lanes in what looked like a stunt being performed by the driver.
The December 23 video caught the attention of the NTSA, who revealed hours later that the owners of the vehicles had been summoned.
Unfortunately, the NTSA on Friday revealed that the driver of the other matatu involved in the same rogue practices was still at large but authorities had launched a manhunt.
The NTSA has been on high alert, especially during the festive season, in a bid to mitigate road accidents by cracking down on misconduct by drivers on busy highways.
Among the measures the NTSA undertook before Christmas was urging motorists to make inspection bookings in good time and ensure their vehicles are inspected before travel.
This directive was prompted after it emerged that some drivers were presenting motor vehicle inspection booking slips at NTSA checkpoints instead of the required inspection reports.
Despite the NTSA’s best efforts, however, several accidents have been recorded during the festive period. One of the latest incidents left over 40 people including pedestrians injured after two lorries travelling in opposite directions collided.
An image of suspects nabbed for swerving recklessly on a highway. PHOTO/ Courtesy