Nairobi Pulls Together During Matatu Vehicle Strike · Global Voices
Richard Wanjohi

On Thursday 29 November, 2012, most Nairobi city dwellers woke up to face another day only to be confronted by the harsh reality of the public service transport system going rogue.
The Kenyan public service vehicles popularly known as matatus were demonstrating against the latest Traffic Amendment 2012, which has introduced stiff penalties for both first time and repeat offenders and affects Kenyan motorists across the board.
Traffic Snarl-up in a Nairobi Street caused by Public Service strike – Image courtesy of @PossumBlu & @ktnkenya
Online reactions
A couple of bloggers have given a summary of the amended laws and penalties that were approved by the President (Mwai Kibaki) in early November.
Word of Mouth blog posted:
Here is a summary of the new traffic rules caused by the Amendment of section 12 of Cap 403 of the laws of Kenya. The president signed the amendments yesterday meaning they are in operation from today.
Autoportal, another blogger focusing on motoring, had a few sections of the Law too:
➢ The licence of a person found guilty of exceeding speed limits would be invalid for not less than 3 years if the limit is exceeded by up to 10 KPH or if the offense is repeated more than three times.
➢ The Inspector General of Police would designate areas where Police will be required to erect roadblocks.
➢ There will be road signs showing the prescribed speed limits.
➢ PSV drivers and conductors would be required to wear badges and uniforms. In addition, the PSV drivers would be required to do a compulsory competence test every two years.
➢ Motorcycles would have to be insured against third party risks and the riders would be compelled to wear helmets and reflector jackets. Penalties for contravening this law would attract a KES 10 000 fine or a one-year jail term.
What do you think will be the impact of these new laws ?
@Ramah_Nyang: A cab driver I know, commenting on the #MatatuStrike, says clients are “calling [him] off the hook.” His services are now being bid for.
@RobertAlai: Allowing private business to control 95% of public transport is the biggest tragedy in Kenya. No serious economy allows that #MatatuStrike
@JnttNemo: On top of walking home in the rain on Ngong road now people are being mugged? My psyche for work tomorrow is at 0.5%#matatuStrike