SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. UHURU KENYATTA, C.G.H.

,
PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES OF
THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE MATATU OWNERS ASSOCIATION
(MOA) NATIONAL DELEGATES COUNCIL MEETING AND OFFICIAL
LAUNCH OF THE CASHLESS PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
VEHICLES AT KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE,
NAIROBI

5TH NOVEMBER, 2014

I am happy to join you at the official opening of Your Annual General Meeting.
The public service transport sector is key in delivering our national
socioeconomic development and a major contributor to our GDP. The sector is
also critical to the development of all other sectors of the economy since it
provides a means for people and goods to move across our country and region.
This sector is too important to be left to adhoc, uncoordinated and chaotic
leadership.

It is important for us in Government to engage the sector and enable it

mobilise into a progressive, organised and profitable industry by bringing
together all its stakeholders in constructive collaboration. Matatu Owners'
Association is one important stakeholder in the sector. Engaging it therefore
goes a long way in setting the pace of the evolution of the public transport
sector.

The growth of the Matatu Owners' Association over the years demonstrates the
public transport sector's readiness for maturity into a vibrant and organised
industry.

Additionally, the formation of SACCOs in the PSV sector has provided a platform
for engagement between Government, financiers and investors in the Public
Service transport industry. This has placed the sector at a vantage point to
support our national development aspirations.

Progress is accelerated with every additional step. Progress never turns back.
The changes in the public transport industry over recent years point to a sector
looking forward to efficiency,profitability, safety and customer satisfaction
never before witnessed in the matatu sector. The new policies and regulations
set out by Government in conjunction with stakeholders have brought progress
to the sector. Stakeholders are better organised now. Public service transport

is safer by at least 25%, meaning that thousands of lives have been saved.

As we embrace progressive ideas, we will be able to accomplish the much that

remains to be done in keeping travellers safe and satisfied at an affordable
cost. I expect that during your deliberations here today, and in days to come,
you will agree on ways of improving safety and enhancing compliance with
traffic rules and transport regulations. This is because I am certain that you no
longer want your industry to be associated with statistics of fatalities and
injury,but rather compliance, safety and satisfaction.

I also urge you to think of how you can play your role in to reducing urban
congestion, which continues to impede productivity and raise the cost of doing
business in Kenya. An efficient public transport system is the only way we can
eliminate the negative economic, social and environmental impact of traffic
congestion.

I am confident that your deliberations will generate solutions that Kenyans will
be proud of for generations to come. Reflect on the many opportunities for
your sector to partner with Government in delivering safe, reliable and costeffective public transport system for the people. My Government is keen to
work with you on achieve this urgent need.

As the leader of a Government which believes in the magic of technology,

especially modern,hi-tech, appropriate and affordable digital solutions, I am
happy to note that the industry now readily embraces IT. Many SACCOs have
now deployed digital tracking and fleet management systems to support
business operations and prevent criminal activity. The same SACCOs are now
ushering in a bold new era of cashless fare payment systems.

These systems are revolutionary because it gives proper control to investors

while relieving all stakeholders of the risks involved in carrying cash. The
cashless fare system also ensures accountability in the public service transport
industry.

It brings convenience, security and accountability all at once.

This is
something that should be commended and supported by everyone, especially
my Government. As this system is implemented, I urge investors to avoid
loading extra costs on passengers.

This is a capital investment; just as you do not increase fares when you
purchase a new vehicle, the roll-out of cashless fare systems should relieve, not
further burden consumers. We will intervene sternly if engine uses this system
to make life difficult for travellers.

After wide consultation and research involving my Government and

stakeholders, it has become clear that a blanket ban on 14-seater PSV,
especially for long distance and rural transport, may not be appropriate at this
time.

Accordingly, this ban will not be implemented to ensure that operators continue
to invest in new, roadworthy and therefore, safer transport for rural and long
distance routes. In turn, I expect the industry to support and comply with my
Government's efforts to reduce congestion through the elimination of low
capacity vehicles in cities like Nairobi and Mombasa. Regulations must evolve
in tandem with social change.
The double-cabin pick-up is now less
commercial and more of a family utility vehicle.

Having considered public appeals and consulted appropriately, it is time for

Government to review the category of this type of vehicle in order to recognise
it as private, not commercial vehicle.

I am delighted to observe that the governors of Nairobi, Kiambu, Murang'a,

Machakos andKajiado counties recently signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with my Government to collaborate on a modern and efficient
mass transit system for the Nairobi Metropolitan Area.

I urge the public transport sector to work within this framework and invest
aggressively,especially in the Bus Rapid System. This opportunity will require
you to be more organised in order to engage my Government, the devolved
units, financiers and development partners.
I commend the matatu industry for working hard to shed its former image of
lawlessness and even crime. The elimination of cash from transactions in the
sector will go a long way in crime-proofing the industry.
Organisation into registered SACCOs has also helped weed out dodgy
characters, and attract legitimate investors into the sector. There is still quite a
bit to do. We are confronting insecurity, especially in the form of terrorism.
This country needs the assurance that nothing and no one in your sector: crew,

investors or passengers use the public service transport in furtherance of

criminal activity. Your staff should henceforth be vigilant partners of our
security services, always ready to report anything suspicious they may
encounter in the course of duty.
I want you to impart this point strongly and consistently. You have a big role in
keeping Kenya safe, and I know that you will not fail us.

We are approaching the last month of the year. This is the season when
schools close for the long holidays and the festive season gets underway. As is
traditional, our people will be doing quite a lot of traveling. I urge the entire
industry, and especially the Matatu Owners Association to spare nothing in
ensuring that we transport people safely throughout the country.

Let us build on the gains we have scored so far and build momentum towards
keeping our roads safe. Together, let us deliberately cultivate a national
reputation for a safe, efficient and friendly public service transport sector.
Finally, I wish you successful deliberations during your meeting and look
forward to a stronger partnership as well as your greater participation in
employment, wealth creation and national transformation.
Thank you very much, and may God bless you.