Public transport operators enhance security to curb terror attacks

By Bedah Mengo
Sunday May 11, 2014

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After being hit by terrorists several times, it is no longer business as usual for public transport vehicle operators in Kenya.

The operators, who have all along been known for having little regard for traffic laws and safety of commuters, have now intensified security to curb terrorist attacks.

No passenger is currently being allowed into the vehicles without being frisked or questioned about the luggage they are carrying.

The wind of change has hit public transport vehicles commonly known as matatus as operators move to help security agencies, the government and the East African nation fight terrorism.

In the past weeks, matatus had become a soft target for terrorists, who planted explosive devices in the vehicles killing several people.

The latest incidents happened four days ago in the capital Nairobi and the coastal town of Mombasa.

Suspected Somali militant group 'al-Shabaab' adherents planted improvised explosive devices in the vehicles, which they detonated.

Four people died in the Mombasa incident and over 20 others were injured in the Saturday evening attack that targeted a long- distance bus that had travelled to Nairobi.

Police suspected some of the attackers had died in the incident that exposed the sector’s underbelly.

Similar tactics were employed by the terrorists a day later in the Nairobi incident in which they targeted two passenger vehicles travelling from Nairobi’s central business district to suburbs along the Thika superhighway.

The twin attacks that happened 20 minutes apart left at least three people dead and over 60 others injured. Police blamed the incidents on the 'al-Shabaab', who they condemned for targeting civilians.

While the public transport vehicles in the East African nation have been hit by terrorists several times since Kenyan soldiers crossed into Somalia to fight the Al-Shabaab in 2011, the latest incidents have become a game changer in the sector.

Among the reasons is that police arrested the drivers and conductors of the vehicles involved into the Nairobi terror attacks and charged them on Monday with negligence and failing to screen their passengers to prevent the assault.

The four were released by a court in Nairobi on a cash bail of 58,139 U.S. dollars each as police tightened the noose on operators.

Nairobi county police commander Benson Kibue said matatu operators would henceforth take responsibility for the safety of passengers in their vehicles as the campaign against terrorism gathers pace in the East African nation.

"Commuters must also be responsible for their security. They should demand to be frisked. We shall not spare anybody in this war," the police commander said and added that they would charge any matatu operator who fails to provide adequate security for commuters.

The unprecedented move has send shockwaves in the sector, with matatu operators acquiring metal detectors to enhance security.

"Please make one line so that we can screen you. We will not allow anyone to get into the vehicle without being screened," a matatu operator at the Githurai bus terminus along Ronald Ngala Street in the city informed commuters on Wednesday evening.

The busses were targeted last Sunday in the terror attacks. Initially, commuters would scramble to get into the vehicles, with the operators and them caring little about security.

"We do not want any problem with the government, and we also do not want our people to die. If this bus is hit by terrorists, we will not have work," said the conductor of the Githurai 45 route in Sheng, a slang widely used by the youth in the East African nation, as he frisked passengers.

His sentiments were shared by Maina, a conductor for Kahawa Sukari route bus, which operates at the terminus. "Terrorists have become smarter and have found us a soft target.We cannot continue operating as if we are not under threat. Terrorism is now a reality in Kenya. We must protect ourselves."

Not far from there at the Umoja and Buru Buru termini along the street.

Commuters had queued on Wednesday evening as the matatu operators frisked them while entering vehicles.

"The screening is welcomed. It assures us that at least we are safe while riding in the matatus. We hope this will continue even after the terror attacks subside," said Martin Njiru at the Buru Buru termini.

At the Rongai and Ngong termini near the 1998 bomb blast scene, every passenger, including those entering 14-seater vehicles, were screened.

The passengers, as others across Nairobi, supported the frisking as they asked the government to ensure that it lasts.

"This is the only way we can enhance our safety and help the government fight insecurity. We must take charge of our safety," said matatu conductor David Kiarie.

The matatu operators are buying the metal detectors at between 52 dollars and 69 dollars.

The operators, however, complained the prices had gone up due to rise in demand.

Sunday May 11, 2014

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