Passengers arrested for boarding overloaded matatu

Over 30 people in Migori County have been charged with traffic related offences over the past five days as the government embarks on a crackdown to restore sanity on the roads.

Migori OCPD Patrick Macharia on Thursday said among the arrested individuals were six passengers apprehended for boarding a vehicle that had reached its maximum carrying capacity.

The six are in police custody and are set to be arraigned in court.

The OCPD further noted that over 25 public service vehicles had also been intercepted as police embarks on the enforcement of traffic rules.

He said the charges against the passengers should send a warning to people boarding a vehicle that is full, adding that the new traffic rules will target both passengers and matatu operators.

Other suspects arrested are drivers and conductors found to have flouted traffic rules.

The new traffic rules demand that all the public service vehicle be fitted with a speed governor, have seat belts for all occupants, no carrying of excess passengers among others.