Kenya stands firm on bus strike

Thousands of people had to walk to work

The Kenyan Government says it will not back down in the face of a second day of a strike by the owners of minibus taxis, known as matatus.

There is again very little public transport and many people have walked long distances to work.

The government wants all matatus to be fitted with seatbelts and speed regulators to improve road safety.

Matatu drivers are notorious for their dangerous driving but owners say the new rules will increase bus fares.

The government says it will not bow to blackmail by the matatu operators.

The new regulations are due to take effect on 31 January 2004.

I walked 16 kilometres to work and will walk another 16 back home today. I am ready to walk 32 km daily for as long as it lasts, but when they come back matatus must have speed governors Chunguli Odemo, Kenya Your comments on the strike

"Unless [matatu owners] argue that they want more deaths... I do not find any other reason why they should oppose this measure," Transport Minister John Michuki told the BBC's Network Africa programme on Wednesday.

Some 3,000 Kenyans are killed on roads every year and the BBC's Andrew Harding in Nairobi says most accidents involve matatus.

Despite the safety concerns, many Kenyans use the brightly painted matatus, often with names such as Deathwish or Terminator, because they are the cheapest form of public transport.

'Carnage'

"It is a big problem. I have blisters all over my feet, the government should talk to the matatu owners honestly," said Joyce Muthoni, a secretary who walked 15 kilometres (nine miles) to her office on Wednesday.

Those buses which were working were overcrowded

The BBC's Wanyama Chebusiri in Nairobi says that the strike has been effective in towns across Kenya.

Incidents of violence against those buses still operating have again been reported.

Police said that 130 people had been arrested on Wednesday after stones were thrown at buses on the streets.

Simon Kimutai of the Matatu Owners Association said the new measures would not end the "road carnage".

"We should have looked at the causes of accidents... We have existing laws which are not enforced," he said.