Public Service Vehicle (PSV) drivers in Nakuru are opposing the government's decision to make them undergo a mandatory retest before they can have their licences renewed.

The directive was issued by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) in a bid to assess the competence and capability of public service vehicle drivers on the road.

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the retest is mandatory for renewal of license for class B3, D1, D2, D3, C, CE, and CD.

PSV drivers will be required to pay a fee of Sh1,050 through the e-citizen platform.

Speaking to Mtaa Wangu, Ravine line Sacco chairman and Central Rift Matatu Owners Association secretary Zackary Kemboi, popularly known as Tausi, claims the retesting plan is a corruption scheme that will hurt many drivers.

Ravine line Sacco chairperson and secretary to the Central Rift Matatu Owners Association, Zackary Kemboi popularly known as Tausi.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/ Mtaa Wangu

"We have no confidence in the whole process. We have drivers who have been on the road for more than three decades. On what basis is NTSA asking them to be retested? This is a scheme to take money from drivers who are financially burdened. I believe some officials will use this period to line their pockets at the expense of struggling drivers," Mr Kemboi said.

He urges the government to scrap the plan and take up the mantle of introducing quarterly seminars where drivers could be trained on various road safety issues and how to behave on the road.

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Naphataly Njoroge, a commercial vehicle driver from Nakuru, says the mandatory retesting NTSA is imposing on drivers is unnecessary and they should focus more on new drivers with minimal road experience.

"I have been on the road for more than 27 years, a period that has given me experience in my work. Let the NTSA focus on new drivers. If allowed, I can liken this move by NTSA to ask drivers to take the test to the CBC programmes that were introduced for lower grade students so as not to disturb other students in the upper grades," Mr Njoroge said.

"Elderly drivers who fail the test will find themselves unemployed if their licences are not renewed. This means that families will struggle as their breadwinners will be directly affected," he explained.

For Steven Muli, the chairman of Prestige Shuttle, who is also the chairman of the Central Rift Owner's Matatu Association, his only problem with the government's plan is the amount of money to be paid for the exercise.

Prestige shuttle chairperson who doubles as the chairperson to the Central Rift Owner’s Matatu Association, Stephen Muli.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/ Mtaa Wangu

"The only problem I have with the NTSA is that drivers have to pay Sh1,050 before they can renew their licence. Once they take the test and fail, they lose that money, forcing them to pay additional fees to take the test again," Mr Muli said.

They however all said that if the government insists to have them retested then the refresher courses should be conducted through government institutions to reduce the costs they incur while seeking services from private driving schools, which sometimes charge exorbitant amounts.

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Why Nakuru PSV drivers want new license renewal rules reconsidered

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