• Friday, 10 January 2025
NTSA Impounds Moneyfest Matatus Linked to President Willam Ruto's son  George Ruto

NTSA Impounds Moneyfest Matatus Linked to President Willam Ruto's son George Ruto

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Thursday impounded two matatus branded 'Moneyfest' that had earlier been captured on a harrowing video that went viral openly flouting several traffic regulations.

A video footage shared widely on Wednesday, January 7 showed two popular matatus plying the Nairobi-Rongai route being driven recklessly with individuals atop the PSV.

 

In a separate video, one of the rogue matatus which appeared to be overloaded, almost crashed into a Mercedes Benz while trying to overlap along the busy Nairobi road.

The videos went viral with Kenyans expressing frustration and concern over the potential dangers rogue PSVs posed to the public.

An image of two matatus plying the Rongai route. PHOTO/ NTSA

Amid a spate of complaints, NTSA issued an update on Thursday, January 9, clarifying that the two vehicles in the viral videos were impounded. They are linked to George Ruto, President William Ruto's son.

While responding to a concerned citizen online, the authority stated, "We thank you for bringing this to our attention. The two PSVs are at the Police Station for processing and further action."

 

One of the matatus in question, popularly known as 'Moneyfest', first went viral in August 2024 after reports that it belonged to the kin of a senior government official.

Since it hit the Kenyan market, there have been numerous complaints about the matatu's conduct, with Rongai residents going on record lamenting about traffic officers' failure to bring the driver and owner to book.

"These vehicles are untouchable. The drives have more influence than traffic officers," one resident said in August.

Among the regulations the matatu has been accused of include skipping stage lines, bearing no Sacco names, picking and dropping passengers anywhere among others.

 

Flouting traffic rules and regulations can attract hefty penalties from the NTSA. Recently, a driver and his employer learnt this the hard way after NTSA revoked his driving license for a year after he was filmed carelessly swerving en route to Makuyu. The driver was also fined KSh 120,000.

Meanwhile, the owner of the matatu was also not spared as he was slapped with a KSh 20,000 fine. 

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