UPDATE: The drivers of two Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) dubbed “Moneyfest” and “Ambush” that were impounded by Police for flouting traffic regulations have been arraigned at Kibera Law Courts in Nairobi.
John Mwangi and Dominic Amaya were charged on Friday, January 10, 2025, with driving unroadworthy vehicles, a charge to which they pleaded guilty.
Consequently, the court handed them a penalty of Ksh50,000 fine or a six-month jail term.
The two had been arrested on Thursday after Police and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) officials impounded the vehicles after the popular matatus known for their notoriety were captured flaunting traffic rules.
NTSA in an update on Thursday, January 9, 2025, said that Ambush and Moneyfest, which has previously been linked to President William Ruto‘s son George Ruto, were being held at a Police Station.
This came following an uproar online after the vehicles that operate on the Nairobi CBD – Rongai route were filmed driving on the wrong side of the road, posing a danger to other road users.
While other motorists, including matatu drivers, complied with traffic regulations to avoid penalties, the Moneyfest driver blatantly disregarded the rules while driving along Magadi Road.
Additional footage captured a group of youths recording themselves atop the vehicle, while others were seen hanging from the door, highlighting the reckless behavior.
The incident, observed by a traffic police officer on duty, drew criticism as the officer appeared powerless or unwilling to take action.
NTSA takes action against Moneyfest after uproar
This incident has sparked public outrage, with many questioning the culture of impunity on Kenyan roads and demanding stricter enforcement of traffic laws, regardless of ownership or status.
Also Read: Nine Dead, Several Injured After Matatu Collides Head-On with Lorry
NTSA while responding to complaints by a section of Kenyans said that the popular matatus are being held by Police for processing and further action.
“We thank you for bringing this to our attention. The two PSVs are at the Police Station for processing and further action,” said NTSA.
NTSA officers have since inspected the two matatus and seized their number plates.
One of the matatus in question, Moneyfest, first went viral in August last year after reports that it is owned by George Ruto.
However, there have been numerous complaints about the matatu’s conduct since it hit the Kenyan market, with Rongai residents going on record lamenting about traffic officers’ failure to bring the driver and owner to book.
Among the regulations the matatu has been accused of include bearing no Sacco names, skipping stage lines, picking and dropping passengers at undesignated areas among others.
Flouting traffic rules and regulations can attract hefty penalties from the NTSA.
Recently, NTSA took action against two other PSV matatus captured in a video being driven recklessly along the busy Nairobi-Nyeri highway.
Matatu Owner, Driver & Conductor Slapped with Penalties
This after the safety authority vowed to take action after the video surfaced online.
Also Read: NTSA Issues Two-Week Ultimatum Over Unregistered Vehicles
The authority in an update on December 27, 2024, said that the owner, driver and conductor of one of the vehicles with registration were charged after they surrendered to Police.
“Fines 1. Driver: Ksh120,000 and the DL has been suspended for a period of 1 year 2. Owner: Ksh20,000 3. Conductor: Ksh12,000,” NTSA said in an update.
The disturbing video showed the matatus being driven in the middle of the road as they kept on swerving in turns, with passengers cheering on while blowing whistles.
In the video which sparked uproar among motorists and Kenyans in general, some passengers were also seen hanging on the vehicles’ windows from both sides.
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