- KEWOPA Condemns Brutal Matatu Assault, Calls for Swift Justice and Investigation
- Transport Authorities Urged to Tackle Gender-Based Violence by KEWOPA Chair Leah Sankaire
- Bybuss Ltd Faces Criticism: KEWOPA Demands Conductor’s Dismissal, Apology, and Sector Training
In a news release on Tuesday, Leah Sankaire, the Chairperson of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) and Kajiado Woman Representative, strongly condemned the recent assault on a female passenger by a matatu conductor along Thika Road.
A screengrab from the viral video showing a conductor harassing a female customer.
Sankaire called for a thorough investigation into the incident captured in a viral video last month, emphasizing the urgency of arresting the conductor responsible for the attack.
Terming the incident a “violation of human rights and dignity,” Sankaire urged the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Japhet Koome, and relevant authorities in the transport sector to ensure justice for the victim.
The KEWOPA Chairperson expressed concern over the incident, likening it to the rising cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and called for intervention from security forces to address this issue and streamline the transport sector.
“We, as women leaders, call upon the Inspector General, Mr. Japhet Koome, and all the relevant authorities to immediately effect the necessary arrests and investigations in the matter,” stated MP Sankaire. She stressed the importance of unbiased investigations and charging the culprit in accordance with applicable laws.
Sankaire further drew attention to the broader issue of GBV in the transport sector, urging authorities to investigate the operations of matatus and ensure that regulations for Matatu SACCOs include protection against criminal acts, including GBV, in the codes of conduct for staff operating public service vehicles.
“We wish to call upon all Public Service Vehicle operators to recognize that disagreements should never be an excuse for the violation of passengers’ rights,” added Ms. Sankaire.
According to the lawmaker, the incident occurred last Wednesday when the tout allegedly failed to drop the victim at the agreed stage, leading to a confrontation. Despite the woman’s pleas to be let go, the tout remained unyielding, eventually resorting to a forceful hit that knocked the woman to the ground.
“From the video, it is seen that the lady pleaded with the tout to let her go with no success. The tout did not let go and later sent the lady to the ground with a forceful hit,” stated Ms. Sankaire.
Sankaire reprimanded Bybuss Ltd, the company associated with the incident, and called for the dismissal of the rogue conductor. Additionally, she urged the Matatu Owners Association to take immediate action, including publishing a formal apology to the affected female passenger and the public.
“KEWOPA further calls upon BYBUSS LTD and the Matatu Owners Association to take immediate action to address this incident, including publishing a formal apology to the affected female passenger and the public, and to hold the responsible individual accountable for their actions through dismissal,” stated the MP.
The legislator also implored the transportation sector to refrain from violating the rights of passengers and emphasized the need for training programs for employees.
“It is crucial that the company implements comprehensive sensitivity training programs for its employees to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future,” she said.
“It is the responsibility of service providers to ensure that all individuals are treated with respect, appropriate patience, understanding, and compassion, noting that every individual has an equal right to use public services, including public transport vehicles.”
