Governor Alfred Mutua Releases Guidelines for Motorists in Machakos

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua on Monday issued tough guidelines for motorists operating in or passing through Machakos county.

Addressing the press, Mutua observed that the county was facing challenges of disregard of the law and subsequent lack of enforcement especially on the roads which has led to disorder, lost production hours and fatal injuries.

In the guidelines, the governor banned all vehicles emitting smoke from using any of the county roads whether they are heading to a Machakos destination or on transit.

According to Mutua, the vehicles whether private, public transport vehicles or lorries will be stopped and towed and will be released after being properly fixed. In addition, a fine of Kshs 150,000 will be levied.

“Therefore, if on transit, before you enter Machakos County from our neighbour counties of Nairobi, Makueni, Kitui, Kajiado, Kiambu, Murang’a and Embu, ensure your vehicle is roadworthy and not emitting smoke,” he advised.

[caption caption="Governor Alfred Mutua during a press briefing on 6/8/2018"][/caption]

In the guidelines, no school buses or vehicles ferrying students will be allowed to travel in his county, whether in transit or heading to a Machakos destination after 6:59 pm.

“Any vehicle ferrying students past that time will be stopped, the driver and the adults in the school bus arrested and the bus and children taken to the nearest police station or designated comfortable county holding area. The bus will not be released to the school until a fine of not less than Kshs 50,000 is paid,” the new regulations read.

Further, no vehicle will be allowed to obstruct others and cause traffic congestion and after an accident, unless there is serious injury or death, vehicles are to pull over, clear of the road and await their insurance agents and traffic police.

Vehicles obstructing traffic will be impounded and a fine of up to Kshs. 50,000 imposed on the obstructing vehicles.

He warned motorists or passengers who throw litter from moving or stationary vehicles and those spotted either by county officers or CCTV cameras will be stopped and the offending passenger fined Kshs.15,000.

“If it is not clear which passenger committed the crime, the vehicle and all passengers will be held until they all raise a combined Kshs. 50,000 fine,” he warned.

In the same way, vehicles that enter and block intersections or stop in the middle of the road to pick or drop passengers will be fined Kshs 100,000 for each act of obstruction.

Motorists driving unroadworthy vehicles will also not be allowed on Machakos roads. Those nabbed will be fined Kshs. 200,000 and the vehicle impounded until repaired and approved by the relevant authorities.

The governor further cautioned that motorcycles or vehicles driven after 7 p.m with either one or two lights off will, on finding that the lights are not functioning, be stopped, towed and a fine of Kshs 20,000 per missing light, levied.

[caption caption="Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua launching the county inspectorate vehicles"][/caption]

Finally, he formed a Special Enforcement Unit of the Machakos County Inspectorate to work in conjunction with the Police and other relevant Government Agencies in enforcing and ensuring compliance.

  • . . . .