Muite against phasing out 14-seaters

By TITUS TOO

Former Kabete MP Paul Muite has added his voice in criticising the planned phase out of 14 seater Public Service Vehicles (PSV).

Muite said the move would only frustrate operators in the sector, which is among the leading contributors of the country’s economic growth.

The former legislator said the government should instead subsidise the transport sector by improving infrastructure in major towns.

"The government should come up with comprehensive policies for the development of underground infrastructure and railways in major towns like in major cities in western countries," said Muite.

He said had hog decisions by the government killed the Kenya Bus Service (KBS), a leading transport investment country, over demands for safety belts in the sector.

"Whenever the Government wants to collect some money, it only sees the matatu sector. They now want to introduce black box in matatus, which is too costly for operators," said Muite.

He spoke at the Eldoret main bus terminus during his tour of the North Rift region and was accompanied by matatu drivers and conductor national officials.

Tom Bichange, Secretary General Matatu and drivers association and Mohammud Mohamed, the National treasurer accompanied Muite in the tour of Nandi Hills, Kapsabet and Eldoret town.

Muite said the new constitution provides that there should be proper consultation with all stakeholders before such directives are made.

"We have so far gained the freedom of assembly and freedom of speech and what we are now fighting for is freedom for wealth and economic empowerment," Muite told the operators.

He said Kenyans should be provided with good opportunities to invest and reduce the gap between the rich and the poor.

"We have 15-20 percent of the population rich while the rest are poor due to poor policies that only favour the elite," said Muite.

The former legislator also urged Kenyans to vet and elect leaders with good policies, who can also fight rampant corruption in all institutions.

He said despite the government allocating Sh4 billion annually for civil servants uniforms, police officers have faded uniforms because of corruption in some departments.