Matatu Owners Association (MOA) Chairman Albert Karakacha has revealed plans to introduce special driving schools for Public Service Vehicles (PSV).
While speaking in Kisumu County on Wednesday, April 17, Karakacha explained that the association was in talks with the government to implement this plan.
"We are talking with the government to see how we can be able to start these driving schools for PSV and commercial drivers," he revealed.
He added that the new driving schools specifically target matatu drivers and other commercial drivers to ensure they acquire the relevant training to allow them expertly navigate Kenyan roads.
According to the chairperson, this move has been prompted by the increase in road accidents with more than 1,100 fatalities having been reported since January.
Karakacha exuded confidence that the government would support the initiative and it would be a matter of time before this proposal is implemented countrywide.
"Through this, we believe the road carnage will go down," Karakacha remarked.
Additionally, the Chairperson called upon PSV drivers to take caution on the road to avoid accidents and the loss of lives and property. He also urged them to avoid carrying excess passengers or driving while intoxicated.
Furthermore, Karakacha called for more collaboration between the government and the association to help curb the increasing road accidents and educate motorists and road users on road safety.
Per reports from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), some major causes of accidents are manipulated speed governors, reckless driving, and drunk drivers.
NTSA's Road Safety and Strategies Manager Samuel Musumba on April 12, revealed that Eldoret Express and Kensilver bus accidents were examples of road carnage caused by rogue motorists tampering with speed governors.
"If you look at January to date, the increase in accidents is largely attributed to some of the things we have been talking about, but people do not seem to be taking it seriously," he added during an interview.
