Matatu owners new chairperson promises to fight graft

Albert Karakacha on Thursday took over the helm of the Matatu Owners Association and promised to tackle corruption in the sector head-on.

The new chairman took over from Simon Kimutai who has been at the helm for more than 20 years.

Karakacha said they will consult on how to effectively deal with corruption.

“We will be seating down with anti-corruption agency to see how we are going to help the industry to bring down corruption,” he said.

On road crashes, Karakacha said they will work closely with the National Transport and Safety Authority to reduce fatalities on Kenyan roads.

Each year, approximately 4,000 Kenyans perish in road accidents.

“We are going to work closely with the national and county governments and support them,” Karakacha said.

The association held its National Governing Council where Karakacha was elected. 

Steve Murunga will continue serving as vice chairperson, while Christopher Muya is the national coordinator.

MOA is a business membership organisation that champions the interests of investors in the transport sector through lobbying and advocacy.

Kimutai, 62, said he has helped bring order to the sector by bringing Saccos.

“I helped the state to understand that the sector contributes a lot to the country’s economy,” he said.

Kimutai said corruption is a disease that requires proper strategy.

“I fought corruption single-handedly until at one point I was told to tell my people not to give out money. All Kenyans must fight this vice,” he said.

Kimutai said corruption is most visible in the public transport sector.

“It is there, you will see it, somebody taking money, letting the car go and stopping another one. It is dirty and stupid,” he said.

Kimutai urged the Inspector General of police Japhet Koome to change the strategy.

He said even though the giver is as guilty as the receiver, corruption is extortion and blackmail.

On decongestion, Kimutai said there have never been proper transport planners in the country.

“NTSA should scrap the issue of licensing people to stop at the city and then say you are congesting the city,” he said.

Kimutai said there is a need for a study on where the electric bus has been successfully implemented.

He said NTSA should not license new vehicles before knowing where they are going to operate.

“They should study supply and demand and see if it is equilibrium. Nobody should dominate a route,” Kimutai said.

CEO Patricia Mutheu said Kimutai has played a crucial role in the sector and is now a household name.

“We will miss your passion for lobbying for a favourable environment for investments,” she said.

Mutheu said the new team will seek to ensure the tenets of reliability, transparency and accountability are kept.

She said there is a need to create effective change and curb losses being witnessed.