People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader and opposition figure Martha Karua has called for urgent and enforceable safety measures for women in public transport systems across Kenya.

Speaking at the Women Transport Africa Conference 2025 (#WTAConference2025) in Nairobi, Karua emphasised the need for real-time consequences for violations and transparency in the criminal justice system.

Safety policies must be enforced

In her keynote address, Karua declared that the Safety of women and commuters in transportation is non-negotiable.

“Safety of women and commuters in transportation is non-negotiable! The safety policies in place must be enforced and consequences of violations must be real-time. Our criminal justice system has a responsibility to report on judicial outcomes to reassure stakeholders and deter would be violators.”

Karua further noted that Kenya’s transport systems often fail to consider women’s needs. She urged government officials and sector leaders to redesign mobility systems that reflect women’s lived experiences, challenges, and aspirations. Her remarks, shared during the #16DaysOfActivism, reinforce the call for safety, dignity, and equality in every journey women undertake.

Karua highlighted a critical gap between existing safety policies and their implementation, noting that announcements of arrests without follow-through fail to protect commuters. She stressed that reporting judicial outcomes is key to building public confidence and deterring future offenses.

Accountable leadership needed

Continuing her address in a follow-up post, Karua stressed that true national interest goes beyond slogans and requires accountable leadership.

“True national interest is not served by silence or slogans. It is served by accountable governance and action! Leaders must listen to the lived realities of women and the challenges they face in order to act accordingly. I offer leadership that listens and has the courage to act.”

Her remarks underscored the importance of leaders engaging with women’s experiences to formulate practical solutions that enhance safety in public transport. Karua’s comments call for immediate action, signalling that gender equity and justice reforms must be prioritised in policy enforcement.

The Women Transport Africa Conference, held from December 3-5, 2025, at the Aspire Centre in Westlands, Nairobi, brings together stakeholders to discuss inclusivity and safety in Africa’s transport sector. Karua addressed persistent safety challenges in matatus, boda bodas, taxis, SACCOs, and digital platforms, where harassment remains a pressing concern.