The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has directed all operators of public service vehicles (PSVs) to remove graffiti as well as unauthorized artistic enhancements that conceal vehicles’ identities.

NTSA said that such applications obscure the names of saccos or companies that they operate in. Lack of continuous yellow lines, it added, make them less distinguishable from other PSVs.

Under the NTSA (Operation of Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 2014, operators are required to boldly display the name of saccos or companies they serve in bold on the front, rear, and sides of vehicles.

“Such contraventions violate the letter and spirit of the regulations and undermine public confidence in the PSV sector by creating ambiguity as to the licensed operator,” NTSA said in a statement.

“Furthermore, a number of these motor vehicles have failed to conspicuously display the official NTSA operational sticker, or any other identifying mark issued by the Authority, rendering regulatory verification and enforcement ineffective.”

It comes on the back of recent road accidents involving PSVs that have killed or injured passengers.

In the middle of this month, for example, Uppercut, a popular Nairobi matatu, was involved in an accident in Tetu, Nyeri County, killing at least one person and injuring more than 20 others.

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The matatu, which plies Nairobi routes, was at the time on a private trip.

“Considering the foregoing, all licensed Public Transport Operators are hereby directed to conduct an immediate and comprehensive audit of their fleets to ensure full compliance with the requirements of the Regulations,” NTSA added.

“The Authority hereby gives NOTICE that all Public Service Vehicle operators are required to take im-mediate corrective action, failure to which regulatory measures will be instituted at individual motor vehicle owner and operator level, including but not limited to vehicle impoundment, suspension and revocation of the license.”