President Uhuru Kenyatta has maintained that he remains committed to reforming the transport system in order to lower transport costs.
The president has said his government, if re-elected, will reform the traffic police department to curb corruption, which has been a major concern in the transport sector.
“I want to assure you that we are going to reorganise the traffic department in order to make it more accountable to users,” President Kenyatta told stakeholders in the matatu industry today during a meeting at State House, Nairobi.
“We must get rid of the illegal collection of money by traffic police officers because that is part of what makes it expensive to travel,” the President added.
At the meeting that was also attended by Deputy President William Ruto, the President asked the matatu owners and operators to be disciplined as the government moves to ensure integrity in the transport sector.
Kenyatta further stressed on the focus his government has in lowering the transport costs and improving the lives of Kenyans.
“For instance, recently we were in Wundanyi (Taita Taveta) where one matatu operator thanked us for improving the road because now they can make two to three trips to Voi instead of one per day. Also, the transport cost has gone down from Kshs 200 to 100,” President Kenyatta said.
“We do not want foreigners to dominate the BRT. We want you to own and operate it,” President Kenyatta told the matatu owners and operators.
Matatu Owners Association Chairman Simon represented the Matatu owners, and thanked the president for the ‘many achievements’.