The National Police Service has announced plans to intensify nationwide road compliance checks following a worrying rise in road accidents that have claimed nearly 50 lives in the past two weeks.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the service, in collaboration with other stakeholders, will roll out a multi-pronged strategy aimed at curbing the increasing number of crashes.
“Our efforts will include speed monitoring of public service vehicles and commercial trucks, enforcement against overloading of goods and excess passengers, cracking down on PSVs operating outside their licensed routes, and conducting anti-drunk-driving operations,” the statement read in part.
The police will also remove unlawful lights from motor vehicles, verify licences issued by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), take unroadworthy vehicles off the roads, and assess PSV Sacco compliance to ensure operators meet required safety standards.
In the statement, NPS expressed condolences to the families of recent crash victims, saying, “We extend our condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and wish a quick recovery to those recovering in hospitals.”
The service noted that most road crashes are preventable if users adhere to traffic rules. Risky behaviours such as speeding, dangerous overtaking, drunk driving, overloading, driver fatigue, and careless pedestrian crossing were identified as major contributors to the accidents.
“It should be appreciated that life is not only precious but also irreplaceable. To effectively prevent deaths on our roads, all stakeholders in road transport must play their rightful roles,” NPS added.
Passengers were urged to report reckless driving using the toll-free numbers 999, 911, or 112; the FichuakwaDCI line (0800 722 203); or the NPS WhatsApp number 0709 570 000.
The service emphasised that all road users should take responsibility for their own safety and that of others.
NPS further stated that it remains committed to sustainable and comprehensive road safety measures. “Let us all work together to make our roads safer,” the statement concluded.
The agency pledged to continue regular inspections, targeted enforcement operations, and awareness campaigns to reduce the number of lives lost on Kenyan roads.
The developments come after more than 20 people died after the bus they were in overturned at the Coptic Roundabout on the Kisumu-Kakamega Road on Friday.
On Saturday, August 9, another fatal crash occurred at the Korompoi area on Namanga Road in Kajiado County, involving a matatu and a lorry in a head-on collision. Authorities confirmed that at least seven people were killed in the Isinya-Namanga Highway accident.
