Travellers to Kenya will know that a ride in a matatu (minibus) can
be a hair raising experience.  The last time the Beetle was in
Kenya, a fellow traveller reported that he was on a matatu that
crashed, because the driver was drunk and there were so many people
on board that two occupants died. In response to a law published
last year by the Kenyan government to fit in safety belts and speed
governors as a measure to curb increasing road accidents, Kenyan
matatu (minibus) operators are rushing to beat a government
deadline to fit safety equipment on their vehicles.  But the
chairman of the Matatu operators Association Simon Kimutai says
only 10% of the vehicles have complied with the new rules. 
Commentators say that Kenya's public transport system is
heading for a crisis when the new laws become effective this month
because so few matatu owners have complied.  The new law
requires the matatus to sport one colour and have a yellow strip
and matatu drivers and conductors will have to wear uniforms and
badges.  Let’s hope that this does bring some safety to
Kenya’s roads.