She made the remarks while addressing the Women Transport Africa Conference 2025 (#WTAConference2025) held in Nairobi.
Karua highlighted that current safety policies are not enough and urged authorities to ensure that violations are met with immediate consequences.
She stressed that women’s safety on buses, matatus, and other public transport is a non-negotiable priority that requires action from all levels of government and transport operators.
During her keynote address, Karua pointed out that the criminal justice system plays a vital role in reinforcing safety.
She urged authorities to maintain transparency by reporting judicial outcomes promptly.
“Safety of women and commuters in transportation is non-negotiable. Policies must be enforced, and violations must face real-time consequences.
Our criminal justice system must report outcomes to reassure the public and deter potential offenders,” she said.
Karua also called for innovative measures to improve commuter safety, including the use of technology to track incidents and respond quickly.
She encouraged public transport companies to train staff on gender-sensitive approaches and to create safe spaces for women commuters.
The opposition leader’s message comes amid growing concerns over harassment, theft, and violence against women in public transport systems.
She emphasized that ensuring women’s safety is not just a legal obligation but a moral one, requiring collaboration between government agencies, law enforcement, and civil society organizations.