Kanja vowed that a crackdown would come during the commissioning of a new administration block at Kiamumbi Police Station along Kamiti Road in Nairobi on June 17, directing operators associated with the "Nganya Culture" to either reform or face the wrath of the law.
"People of Kenya are free to do their business, but they must do their business within the law. So, if you are in the matatu industry and you are not following the law, then you are in problem," he said.
The crackdown follows the death of Eugene Mutuku, a 19-year-old Kenya Medical Training College student who was thrown from a moving Nicco Movers 1 Sacco matatu along Thika Road.
Mutuku, who was en route to a hospital in Kasarani for his clinical attachment, was thrown out of the vehicle after he lacked Ksh20 to add to his fare and was then run over by the matatu, dying from internal injuries.
The incident, which occurred on June 5 while Mutuku was en route to Kasarani, sparked nationwide outrage after dashcam footage of the ejection went viral.
In response, the National Transport and Safety Authority revoked Nicco Movers 1 Sacco's operator licence with immediate effect, finding that the Sacco's officials and management had lost control of fleet operations, lacked adequate safety protocols, and posed a danger to road users.
Kanja confirmed that authorities have arrested all individuals directly linked to the incident, with suspects remaining in custody, but warned that the police dragnet remains wide open.
"I know we have already arrested some, some are hiding somewhere, but sooner or later we are going to get them, because there is no way to hide in this country as long as we have committed crimes. We will get you, it doesn't matter how long it takes," he said, adding that DCI officers continue actively tracking additional suspects believed to be in hiding.
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