The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) has called for action to be taken against a matatu conductor who attacked a female passenger on Thika Road.
In a statement to newsrooms on Tuesday, KEWOPA Chairperson and Kajiado Woman Representative Leah Sankaire called for an expanded investigation into the incident and the arrest of the conductor who was seen in the viral video last month smacking the passenger to the ground as she pleaded for aid.
Ms. Sankaire called the event a "violation of human rights and dignity," and urged the Inspector General of Police and transportation authorities to bring the culprit to justice and provide justice to the victim.
“KEWOPA would like to call upon the Inspector General, Mr Japhet Koome and all the relevant authorities to immediately effect the necessary arrests and investigations in the matter, ensure that the investigations are done without any bias and the culprit is charged in accordance with the applicable laws,” stated MP Sankaire.
The KEWOPA boss compared the incident to an increase in Gender-Based Violence, calling for security forces to intervene to eradicate the vice and simplify the transport industry.
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"We as the women leaders further call upon these authorities to investigate the operations of the matatus and ensure that the regulations on the operations of the Matatu SACCOs include the protection against criminal acts including GBV in the codes of conduct of staff operating public service vehicles," she said.
"KEWOPA wishes to call upon all Public Service Vehicle operators to recognise that disagreements should never be an excuse for violation of the rights of passengers."
According to witnesses, the tout allegedly failed to drop the victim at the agreed-upon stage in the event last Wednesday, which was the reason for the altercation.
A push-and-pull began, and despite the woman's pleas to let go, the tout remained obstinate before finally whacking the woman in the face, knocking her to the ground.
"According to the footage, the lady begged the tout to let her go but was unsuccessful. "The tout didn't let go and later sent the lady to the ground with a hard hit," Ms. Sankaire said.
She chastised the Bybuss Ltd company, calling for the rogue conductor's resignation and an apology.
“KEWOPA further calls upon the BYBUSS LTD and the Matatu Owners Association to take immediate action to address this incident including publishing a formal apology to the affected female passenger and the public to hold the responsible individual accountable for their actions through dismissal,” stated the MP.
“It is crucial that the company implements comprehensive sensitivity training programs for its employees to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future," she said.
