The government on Monday, February 24, announced a raft of changes on some 38 roads in Nairobi and other urban centres that are likely to alter traffic flow.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Police Spokesperson Charles Owino explained that the changes were aimed at improving traffic flow across the cities and towns.
He noted that some of the changes expected along the routes will be the phase-out of static traffic officers who will be replaced with mobile ones whose mandate will include ensuring that traffic flows smoothly.
Another change expected in the new roll-out includes police dealing with individual traffic cases uniquely including charging drivers separately from vehicle owners in case of an accident.
"In those 38 routes that we have allocated, those officers will be patrolling the highways. What they will do is they will ensure a free flow of traffic.
"If they find you with any offense, they must carry out investigations. There will also be other obvious traffic offenses like when somebody obstructs a highway. Such persons will be given the notice to attend court and will be expected to attend court," stated Owino.
Without listing down the target highways, the spokesperson went on to add that at every station, there would be officers tasked with solely carrying out investigations.
"In town centers, traffic is heavy, the officers will be deployed on roundabouts and junctions for traffic flow with very minimal traffic. There is something like broken windscreen and worn-out tyres which is under the mandate of NTSA (National Transport and Safety Authority).
"There will only be about four officers per car and that means that within the stations there will be officers dealing with traffic investigations only," he continued.
Owino's explanation was a clarification of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Njoroge Mbugua's statement informing the press about the traffic changes at designated places in Nairobi.
Mbugua named Pangani Underpass, Kasarani, Kahawa and Ruiru as some of the notorious spots in dire need of traffic flow intervention.
The DIG spoke at the Police Pavilion in South C after receiving 19 vehicles from the National Transport and Safety Authority.
