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Why matatu owners want NTSA to stop issuing driving licenses

By Nyaboga Kiage December 5th, 2022 2 min read

Matatu owners are now demanding that the issuing of driving licenses be transferred from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to the National Youth Service (NYS).

The association has said NTSA usually issue the important document to drivers who don’t meet the threshold of driving Public Service Vehicles.

“We all know that the NYS is famous for producing the most qualified drivers due to having a capability of testing and classifying the drivers,” the chairman of the association, Mr Simon Kimutai, said, adding that they are now requesting that the issuance of licenses be transferred to NYS.

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Mr Kimutai was speaking in a meeting that was organized by Matatu Owners Association (MOA) and members of the National Road Safety Association that was also attended by members of the Speed Governors Association.

The Matatu Owners Association said NTSA should be blamed for the careless issuance of licenses.

He said NTSA should ensure drivers practice before they can handover the licenses to anyone who wants to drive matatus.

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According to Mr Kimutai, majority of the drivers who get hired start practicing on the vehicles with the owners believing that they have hired the right people.

Mr Kimutai also said that he had issues with those who own private cars and have resulted into working on the public transportation sector.

He said that it was very wrong and a disregard to those who drive such vehicles as it was not safe for passengers.

“We have no shortcut on this and it is high time the government is keen on those who own private cars but have resulted using the vehicles as matatus plying various routes. This is really wrong and should be checked on,” Mr Kimutai said.

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