Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Tuesday vowed to take stern action against drivers attempting to cross flooded rivers.
According to Murkomen, the government will be on the lookout for such drivers, and once spotted the drivers will have their licences canceled.
Murkomen also noted that legal action will be taken against such drivers on grounds of attempted suicide. The Cabinet Secretary argued that the trend not only puts the lives of the drivers in danger but the lives of passengers in harm's way as well.
“I want to put our drivers on notice, even after you have crossed the dangerous river, we will still carry out punishment in terms of cancellation of the licenses and you can also be charged for attempted suicide,” Murkomen stated.
CS Murkomen stated President William Ruto has issued a directive to all National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) to be on the lookout for drivers going against this directive.
"A directive has been given to the County Commissioners, Deputy County Commissioners, to our chiefs and assistant chiefs to be on the lookout for all the transport companies," the CS stated.
The Transport CS noted the new orders will apply to both public and private vehicles, stating that no one found guilty will be spared.
"We must be conscious, in every area where we think the river is flooded. We must deploy police officers around that place to make sure people are stopped from crossing flooded rivers," Murkomen said.
According to the CS, most of the 76 people who have lost their lives to floods died while attempting to cross flooded rivers.
The orders come four days after seven people passed away after drowning while attempting to cross River Muooni on their way from Kavuthu to Mutyambua. At the time, the river had flooded due to heavy rains.
The 7 are said to have drowned while heading home after attending First Lady Rachel Ruto's 14th Anniversary of the Joyful Women Organization (JOYWO) held at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday last week.
Emergency services providers including the Red Cross Society were immediately deployed to the scene to kickstart the process of retrieving the bodies.
