In Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County, police have taken swift action by impounding two matatus that were captured in a viral video flagrantly violating traffic laws on the busy Karen-Rongai Road. The video, which quickly gained traction on social media platforms, shows the two Isuzu buses, bearing registration numbers KDQ 111T and KDG 195K, dangerously weaving through traffic.
The reckless driving was not only a threat to other road users but also endangered pedestrians as the vehicles swerved without regard for safety. Adding to the gravity of the situation, both matatus were severely overloaded, with numerous youths seen precariously perched on the roofs and hanging out of the windows. These actions highlight the disregard for both personal safety and traffic regulations.
Shockingly, a traffic police officer was filmed permitting the vehicles to pass without any intervention, despite the blatant violations occurring in plain sight. This has raised questions about the enforcement of traffic laws, especially when high-profile individuals or their businesses are involved. A search on the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) portal revealed that the matatus are owned by 1998 Technologies and Expreso Limited, with the KDQ 111T bus, named MoneyFest, allegedly linked to George Ruto, the son of President William Ruto.
In response to the public outcry, NTSA officials have since inspected both matatus, confiscating their number plates. However, the incident has sparked a wave of condemnation, with many Kenyans criticizing the perceived leniency of authorities toward those with political connections. Prominent activist and matatu poet Willie Oeba expressed his frustration, pointing to the apparent lack of accountability in the situation. Others voiced their anger at the systemic corruption that seems to allow such lawlessness to persist, especially when it involves the privileged elite.
This incident raises important questions about the enforcement of traffic laws, the accountability of those in power, and the growing frustrations of ordinary Kenyans who feel that the system is skewed in favor of the few.
