Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has send a chilling message to Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators who will not adhere to the measures that have been set by the government to stop the spread of coronavirus.
On Sunday evening, Health Ministry’s Chief Administrative Secretary Dr Mercy Mwangangi confirmed 16 more coronavirus cases in Kenya, bringing total number of cases to 142.
Out the cases new cases, 15 are Kenyan citizens and a Nigerian national.
“out of this number 11 have a history of travel while 5 are locally transmitted, ” Dr Mwangangi said.
However, CS Macharia who spoke at a press conference held at Afya House says some matatu operators have been defying government’s directive of carrying less passengers.
He said that defiant matatu operators have been carrying passengers in excess, thus defying the social distance rule.
As from Monday April 6, matatus found defying this rules will have to face the music.
According to CS Macharia, those found violating the regulations will have their operating licences revoked.
The tough talking CS also noted that the people in charge of the respective vehicles will be locked up by the police, and have their vehicles impounded.
Matatu operators are also supposed to have their own sanitizers, and ensure that passengers boarding their vehicles have face masks.
At the moment, all traveling up-country remains banned, with those planning to evacuate their relatives from other countries being required to write to the transport ministry 72 hours prior to planned traveling day.
“We have extended the ban on international flights for 30 more days with effect from April 6. Evacuation and cargo flights are exempted from this ban. However, evacuation flights must give advance 72-hour notice,” CS Macharia said.