On Monday, 12th November, 2018, commuters woke up to a matatu “strike” that saw fares rise to almost double (or even triple) what they normally are. The cause of the strike? The government’s declaration that it would once again begin enforcing the “Michuki Rules” commencing that day. Many were left stranded as matatus were pulled off the road to comply with the rules, which had never been revoked in the first place.

This was the government’s response to a bus accident at Fort Ternan that claimed 58 lives. Today, we’re joined by Constant Cap, an urban planner, to talk about why the lack of road safety in Kenya is actually a planning issue, and what we can do to remedy the situation. Press play!

Resources

10 bodies yet to be claimed after Fort Ternan road accident

Matatus’ mad rush to comply with Michuki rules

Michuki Rules: Kenya back to square one

The Traffic Act (2013)

The Organization, Issues and the Future Role of the Matatu Industry in Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi County Non-Motorized Transport Policy

Planning and Road Safety: Opportunities and Barriers

The Influence of Urban Planning on Road Safety

Digital Matatus

Naipolitans: Facebook, Twitter

Critical Mass: Facebook, Twitter

Re-imagining Nairobi

Open Streets Cape Town

[Rwanda] Car-free day: What is the impact?

Image Credit: Nairobi News