My plan is to transfer my aviation experience to the matatu sector

Albert Karakacha was recently elected Matatu Owners Association (MOA) chairman replacing Simon Kimutai who has been the face of the sub-sector. Karakacha, who worked in the aviation sector before plunging into the chaotic matatu industry, shares his experience on the road and in the air:

For the longest time, Simon Kimutai was the face of the sub-sector, and now that you have taken the reins, will you fit in his shoes?

It is a challenging job, but I’m well prepared for the job having been his understudy. Our role in the matatu sector is to interact with the operators by going the extra mile of finding out their problems.

This is an informal sector but we want to change into formal by incorporating technocrats so as to transform the sector and change its image.

How will you do it differently from your predecessor?

It is not a one-man show but I will work with the government so that we can reduce accidents by 60 per cent, and also deal with corruption on the roads.

Once corruption is managed, matatu owners will be smiling all the way to the bank because the vice is a thorn in the flesh of many investors.

The Londiani accident happened when you were only one week in office....what ran through your mind?

It was an unpleasant experience for me which is why we are trying to probe what really happened. Generally, there is need to change the attitude of drivers by professionalising the business.

Matatu operators have been accused of abetting corruption, is that the case?

That is not true. I blame that on the high cost of living such that some investors are unable to maintain their vehicles. That is why some of them resort to shortcuts in order to remain afloat. But going forward, as the chairman, I will ensure we embark on an aggressive campaign, especially in Nairobi, to change the mindset of investors. 

We shall be holding frequent meetings that will be attended by anti-corruption officials, traffic police and National Transport and Safety Authority officers among other stakeholders to deliberate on how to deal with the vice.

You have experience from aviation, is it possible to apply the same in the matatus sector?

I have worked in the aviation industry for over ten years since I trained as a ground operation person. Definitely, I will pick what is useful to the matatu industry.

Unlike the matatu sector, in aviation there is professionalism and discipline because of the intense training. For my case, I trained in many countries.

Is there something that can be borrowed from the airline sector?

Having been in the airline sector and previously national coordinator for Matatu Owners Association, I will work hard to instil discipline. 

We are going to sit down and go through an induction so that we can learn what can change the industry. This will involve reaching out to technocrats to help change the image of the sector.

NTSA has introduced retraining of drivers to curb road accidents, will the retest salvage the situation?

We are against the retesting of the drivers because the majority of those who are being targeted have been driving for many years.

Again, most of them are not on salary, they must be on the roads daily so that they can eat. Taking them back to class for a retest is not the way to go. The better alternative would be training new entrants. 

Old and un-roadworthy vehicles are still on the roads, why?

That is true but the blame squarely lies with the government. If inspections were vigorous and thorough, we wouldn’t have such vehicles on our roads. The problem is that concerned authorities wait until an accident occurs is when they look into the condition of the car but inspection should be regular. 

However, we as the owners and operators will work together with the authorities to see how to fix the problem.

Matatus have been blamed for being the source of congestion in the Central Business District by taking over almost all parking slots. Is that the case?

High fees should be put on personal cars because they are not carrying passengers. That one will help to decongest Nairobi. There is also a need for the county government to come up with the best practices elsewhere. 

Michuki rules brought sanity for a while, what should be done to get back on track?

It is possible through education and involvement of all the stakeholders by and having frequent meetings with the government. You don’t need to take a rungu to fight, you need to take people to school, beating the driver and owner everyday will not change anything.

We need to come up with stiffer penalties on misbehaving crews. Those unable to conform should be removed. 

Your members refused to move to Green Park in Nairobi despite the millions sank into the project, your comments, please?

The Nairobi Metropolitan Services did not consult us and we tried to advise them that Uhuru Park was not a suitable location to put up the project but they refused to listen.

They decided to work with people who don’t understand anything in the matatu sector. That is why they failed because they did not consult the owners.

It is unfortunate that a lot of taxpayers’ money was lost. That is why we are urging the government to go deeper and probe into the matter.

There are other matatu associations out there, what makes MOA a better option for investors?

MOA is all over the country and we represent a big number of members, we deal with owners, not those who have not invested in the matatu sector.

How can rogue drivers be tamed?

There are young people who are interested in the sector, we shall establish schools where they will train. 

Once that is achieved, matatu saccos will be getting trained drivers just like companies get security guards from security firms. The approach will enable us weed out the wrong characters.