Photo source: enews.co.ke
Two matatus with President Uhuru Kenyatta's graffiti portraits were among six impounded by Mombasa traffic police for flouting regulations on Public Service Vehicles on Wednesday.
The vehicles that were seized in a crackdown also included one with a picture of Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and another with the Coat of Arms.
One of them was released after the grafitti on it was removed.
The matatu operators noted that Uhuru permitted the use of graffiti on PSVs as a way for talented youth to earn a living.
They said they used his picture as a celebration of the gesture.
Regional Traffic Commandant Martin Kariuki argued that no amendments have been made to the Traffic Act following the directive, making graffiti use illegal.
Kariuki however said that the owners and operators of the matatus will not be prosecuted or fined but will be given time to strip their vehicles of the many colours and tints.
Uhuru called for the lifting of the ban on graffiti and artwork during the launch of the cashless fare system in 2014.
“I do not see anything wrong with artwork and creativity in matatus. We should surely support our youth to do business with their talents, as long as it does not interfere with the driver’s vision and other regulations,” he said.
He also ordered a review of the ban on the licensing of 14-seater matatus.
-The-Star.com