The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has launched a targeted enforcement operation aimed at restoring order on Nairobi roads by clamping down on rogue matatus, commonly referred to as “Nganyas.”
According to the authority, the operation focused on Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) that routinely violate road safety regulations. The enforcement exercise took place on Friday and Saturday, with multiple matatus impounded across Nairobi and neighbouring Kiambu County.
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Authorities reported that several operators running on various routes were detained during the crackdown. The NTSA said the action was part of ongoing efforts to address unsafe practices that endanger commuters and other road users.
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Among the key violations cited were excessive graffiti and artwork that obstruct visibility, overly bright fog lights, and heavily tinted windows — particularly on the driver’s side. Officials emphasized that such modifications reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents.
Individuals linked to the impounded vehicles were arrested and later released on cash bail. They are expected to appear in court on Monday, January 27.
The NTSA noted that matatus operating along Ngong Road, Rongai, Eastlands areas including Umoja, Buruburu, and Kayole, as well as the Kitengela route, were among those most frequently associated with traffic safety violations.
Images circulating online highlighted some of the risky modifications. In one case, a matatu was seen with a heavily tinted windscreen partially covered by graffiti, leaving only a small viewing gap for the driver — a situation that raised serious safety concerns.
The enforcement push follows earlier action by the authority against two matatus branded “Moneyfest,” which were impounded after a viral video showed reckless driving along the Nairobi–Rongai route. The footage also showed individuals riding on top of the moving vehicles, a dangerous practice prohibited by traffic laws.
Separately, the NTSA recently identified Outer Ring Road and Eastern Bypass among Nairobi’s most accident-prone corridors, reinforcing the need for stricter enforcement.
SOURCE – KENYANS.CO.KE
