Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued thirteen road safety measures in efforts to reduce the occurrence of road accidents in Kenya.
In a statement after a meeting with the Ministry of Interior, Murkomen detailed a multi-pronged strategy to reduce the number of preventable deaths through road crashes.
Murkomen directed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to immediately cease issuance of new PSV operator routes, review all existing routes issued to PSV operators and issue new routes only upon vetting of the operators.
“Issuance of short-term PSV licences has been suspended until reviews of all PSV routes are completed,” the CS ordered.
In the statement seen by The Kenya Times, Murkomen also announced a mandatory inspection exercise where all institutions and companies will be required to present their vehicles for compliance checks with the relevant speed limiter vendors within 14 days.
Failing to present the vehicles for the inspection, Murkomen adds, will lead to the invalidation of all NTSA-issued licenses.
To ensure smooth running of the inspection exercise, CS Murkomen instructed NTSA to hasten the process of outsourcing motor vehicle inspection to enhance its capacity in assessing the roadworthiness of vehicles countrywide.
Additionally, the CS said the National Police Service (NPS) will impound all vehicles operating without the required licences and charge the owner and driver in line with the Traffic Act.
“All PSVs (7-seater and above) and commercial vehicles with a tare weight of 3,048kg and above will be presented for compliance checks with the relevant speed limiter vendors within 30 days, failing which all NTSA-issued licences will be rendered invalid,” Murkomen said.
As public engagements on the Draft Traffic (School Transport) Rules 2024 continue, the CS directed all learning institutions to present their vehicles for inspection by 1st May 2024 to assess their mechanical soundness and whether speed limiters installed on them are functional.
At the same time, school vehicles carrying children will henceforth be restricted to operate between 6am and 7pm.
Murkomen on Drivers & Excess Passengers
The National Police Service (NPS) and NTSA will also heighten night enforcement and random checks along major highways, especially blackspots.
They will also ensure that stalled vehicles are removed from roads at the cost of owners.
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As part of the strategy to manage fatigue in the transport sector, drivers have been directed to adhere to the stipulated 8-hour working shift per the regulations.
According to Murkomen, the government will suspend operator licences and vehicle insurance of Saccos whose drivers fail to adhere to the rule and cause accidents.
Besides, excess passengers, drivers and conductors will be detained and charged as part of the overall approach to ensure strict adherence to set traffic regulations.
Murkomen appealed to the Judiciary to outline the highest possible penalties for traffic offenders, including riders, pedestrians, drivers, and passengers.
“Transport operators not meeting the minimum requirement of PSV Regulations 2014, i.e the minimum threshold of serviceable vehicles, non-compliance with road service licences, inspection certificate and PSV licences are hereby suspended,” he said.
Speed limiter vendors with low performance in speed management have equally been suspended from fitting new gadgets until an assessment by the NTSA is completed.
However, they will be expected to maintain 100% compliance on vehicles already fitted with the limiters.
Also Read: Ex-Roads Minister Defends Murkomen Over Rise in Accidents; Lists Who to Blame
County Govts & Road Agencies
The CS also asked the County Governments and the NPS to enforce all relevant sections of the Traffic Act to ensure compliance and safeguard lives.
Murkomen instructed relevant road agencies to immediately undertake road markings, install necessary furniture and put in place measures to remove stalled vehicles.
Additionally, they are required to mount speed calming measures and ensure black spots are attended to.
Murkomen said actions such as speeding, dangerous overtaking, drunken-driving, overloading, driver fatigue and crossing roads without due care are common causes of road crashes.
According to NTSA statistics, 1,108 Kenyans died in road accidents between January and April 1, 2024.
