Perception of Matatu Operators Towards Government Regulations in Streamlining the Public Transport Sector in Kenya: a Case Study of Matatu Operators in Kikuyu Sub-county

Abstract

The public transport industry in Kenya accounts for majority of the movements of both people and goods from one place to another. This necessitates the regulation of the industry by the government to safeguard the rights of these citizens. The regulations are outlined in the Kenya Traffic Act and other by-laws. Implementation of these laws is done by the traffic police and the NTSA. The objectives of this study were to find out the measures the government of Kenya has put in place to streamline the operations of Matatus; to find out the tactics used by Matatu operators to avoid penalties by the government when they defy the regulations in the industry; to establish the perception of Matatu operators towards government regulations in the industry; and to assess the success of the government regulations to streamline the public transport industry. Kenya is not the only country that regulates the public transport industry. This study looked into how other countries of the world regulate their public transport industries. These countries were New Zealand and Tanzania which have public transport regulations which have achieved a considerable level of success. The sociological theories used in this study were Functionalism by Emile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons, and Discipline and Punish Theory by Michel Foucault. Questionnaires and key informants guide were used to gather both qualitative and quantitative data. The total number of Matatu operators interviewed by use of questionnaires, both drivers and conductors, was 85. A key informant guides was used to interview 5 key informants who included: a Matatu owner, a traffic officer, a Matatu SACCO manager, a route marshal and an NTSA officer. The study found out that the government had put in place various regulations in the Matatu industry which the operators were aware of. However, the operators were not following them fully. The study found out that the operators gave bribes to officers when they were caught breaking the set regulations because they found the court process tedious and expensive. The study also found that though the operators perceived the regulations as important, they felt that they were too strict and unreasonable and therefore they were not following them. It was found out that the government had not been very successful in regulating the public transport industry. In conclusion, the study found out that the operators understood the regulations that existed and appreciated the importance of regulating the industry. However, they only followed them out of fear of punishment. This study therefore recommended forums between the enforcers and the operators whereby they can share their expectations from each other. The study also recommended a review of the court process so that it is made less tedious and expensive. This way, the operators would not prefer to give a bribe other than go through the court process when caught in the wrong. The study also recommended the need for all the stakeholders to be involved while coming up with the regulations so that they are easily acceptable to all parties.