Mash Poa in trouble as Gender CS Cheptumo demands justice for drugged passenger
As the investigation begins and Mash Poa faces a possible license suspension, pressure is mounting on all public transport operators to prioritise the safety of passengers.
The Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage has directed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to immediately investigate Mash Poa’s operations and suspend the company’s license until ongoing inquiries into a drugging incident are completed and the culprits brought to justice.
This move comes after the disturbing incident involving Adelle Omondi, who was allegedly drugged on a Mash Poa bus on April 14 while travelling from Nairobi to Mombasa.
More To Read
Omondi later woke up disoriented at Coast General Hospital, missing her belongings, and later learned that unauthorised transactions had been made from her M-Pesa account.
Gender Cabinet Secretary Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, while condemning the attack, described it as a serious violation of Omondi’s dignity and rights.
“This heinous act may not be an isolated incident. It is not only a grave violation of her dignity and rights, but also a stark reminder of the urgent need to ensure safety and accountability in all private and public spaces,” Cheptumo said.
The CS said her ministry expects full cooperation from Mash Poa.
She demanded that the bus company’s management immediately release the bus manifest, booking records, CCTV footage, and surrender the relevant staff members to the authorities for questioning.
“This is a criminal act, and those responsible must be held accountable without fear or cover-up,” Cheptumo stressed.
Public anger
The ministry’s intervention follows a wave of public anger sparked by Omondi’s harrowing experience, which many Kenyans, particularly women, shared on social media. Several people posted stories of similar experiences, raising concerns about the safety of public transport in Kenya.
Standing firmly with Omondi and other survivors, CS Cheptumo said that no one, regardless of gender, should go through such trauma when using public transport.
Omondi’s case also exposed a worrying pattern where victims who are drugged during travel are not only robbed but could also face physical or sexual assault. This reality has fuelled public calls for urgent action to ensure passenger security.
The CS urged all public transport operators to strengthen their safety measures and create reliable systems where passengers can easily report incidents. She warned that safety could not be left to chance, and companies must actively protect the lives of those who depend on them.
In her statement, CS Cheptumo also called upon the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Mombasa to expedite their investigations to ensure the offenders are apprehended without delay. She praised the support already given to Omondi by the security agencies and asked that they remain committed to achieving justice.
Suspend operating licence
“We call upon the NTSA to investigate the company and withhold the operating licence until the investigation is complete and the culprits are apprehended,” CS Cheptumo reiterated.
The Ministry of Gender said that the government is determined to deal firmly with criminal behaviour in the transport sector.
CS Cheptumo assured the public that her ministry will not allow those who endanger lives to go unpunished.
“The Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage remains committed to promoting a society where women and girls can live free from fear, harassment, and violence,” she affirmed.
As the investigation begins and Mash Poa faces a possible license suspension, pressure is mounting on all public transport operators to prioritise the safety of passengers.
Top Stories Today
