Cabinet Secretaries, Kithure Kindiki (Interior) and Kiphumba Murkomen (Transport) launched a crackdown on motorists and listed a raft of enforcement measures to be implemented over the holidays.
Kindiki and Murkomen held the joint press conference at Harambee House in Nairobi on Tuesday, December 20. In the joint presser, Kindiki directed the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, to crack heavily and without exceptions on those found flouting traffic rules.
He equally revealed that his Ministry will provide police officers with the necessary support to enforce the safety of every Kenyan on the road.
"Our records over the years and investigations that have followed many of these accidents yield overwhelming evidence that many of these accidents are, and can be, preventable.
"This is achievable if our road users practice more fidelity to sensible road mannerisms on our roads, observing traffic regulations and a stricter enforcement of and compliance with the relevant traffic rules," Kindiki urged.
Kindiki outlined the various traffic offences that police officers will crack the whip on.
The offences included speeding, overloading goods and excess passengers, contravening licensed public service vehicle routes and night operation without a valid night travel licence.
Others were operating a PSV without valid licences, operating vehicles without valid inspection, installation of unlawful lights on motor vehicles, drunk driving, and delayed removal of stalled vehicles.
"We expect 100 per cent compliance with the relevant traffic requirements by motorists and other road users. These rules must be observed in their entirety
by all," Kindiki ordered.
On his part, Murkomen instructed the Kenya National Highways Authority, (KeNHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) to heighten surveillance on the roads.
"I urge all Kenyans to exercise vigilance on our roads and play their respective roles in ensuring all of us get to our stations safe and sound," he added.
The authorities were also directed to ensure all stalled vehicles are towed within one hour to ease traffic. NTSA was further ordered to intensify the Usalama Barabarani programme and awareness campaigns to effect positive behaviour change among road users.
Murkomen equally decried motor vehicle owners and operators overworking drivers while overlooking vehicle servicing during the festive season.
He thus directed private motor vehicle owners, heavy commercial vehicle owners and PSV Saccos to ensure drivers are well rested and vehicles well serviced before taking to the roads.
"From the analysis of past reports, a high number of road carnage results from avoidable human factors, including driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, dangerous overtaking, fatigue, and ignoring traffic lights and signs, among others.
An analysis by NTSA shows a three per cent increase in road carnage as of November 15, 2022, with fatalities standing at 4,432 compared to 4,271
during the same period in 2021," Murkomen lamented.
Importantly, the Transport CS highlighted the issue of mental health as a concern among road users in the transport sector. Murkomen thus informed the public that government health facilities will be open to any motorist battling depression, stress, and other mental illnesses.
