President William Ruto has warned Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen over the rising number of road accidents in the country.
Speaking during the launch of the National Road Safety Action Plan, Ruto gave Murkomen one year to implement the strategy and reduce the number of accidents.
Ruto called for a collaboration between the stakeholders in the road sector to promote safety and reduce accidents.
He stated that the CS in charge should implement the launched plan and stop the frequent cases of road accidents experienced in the last few months.
“One year from now, we will have another meeting and, at that time, Kipchumba Murkomen you better come and report to us that the numbers are coming down. Otherwise, you will be in a lot of trouble,” Ruto said.
Ruto revealed that the government majority of the road junctions, blackspots and other dangerous areas will be on camera by December 2024.
He directed Murkomen to implement the instant fines arguing that 90m days is a long time to charge individuals found breaking the traffic rules.
“We have been talking about the instant for a very long time. Let’s do it so that we everyone behaves well since they know someone is watching,” he said.
Ministries to Lead Plan Implementation
Ruto said the launch of the Plan is a starting point for the government’s coordinated multisectoral endeavor to improve road safety in the entire transport system.
He ordered government ministries and agencies to steer the implementation of the Plan and ensure the public sector provides a model for road safety.
“It is proper and fitting that we demonstrate our commitment through concerted efforts, collaborations, and partnerships as well as sustained efforts to enhance infrastructure design, intensify awareness of campaigns and civic education, strengthen law enforcement and support the entrenchment of a national culture of safety and responsible road behavior,” he said.
Also Read: NTSA Announces New Measures After Surge in Road Accidents
The President said the government will provide resources and address legal and regulatory gaps to support the Plan.
Additionally, the government will enhance the capacity of the National Police Service (NPS) to enforce traffic laws.
“We must implement a zero-tolerance approach to negligence on our roads and enforce the traffic laws and regulations to their fullest extent to promote safety order and efficiency on our roads,” he stated.
Ruto Order to IG Koome & NTSA
Ruto also directed the Inspector General (IG) of Police Japhet Koome and his deputy to work closely with the NTSA to monitor the road users.
He explained that a collaboration between NPS traffic department and NTSA is key in reducing the number of road crashes.
“I expect greater cooperation between the police traffic department and NTSA. There has been some disconnect, sometimes competition between these two agencies. The IG and DG I expect greater collaboration so that we can see results coming down,” Ruto said.
Also Read: Murkomen Announces New Technology for School Buses to Reduce Accidents
Call to Kenyans
The President also urged the public to share in the responsibility and ensure adherence to traffic regulations.
Ruto emphasized that the execution of the Plan requires ‘all of the society strategy’ throughout the country to be successful.
He asked Kenyans to observe road safety and report violations as part of their civil duty under community policing.
“Do not travel in overloaded vehicles and use the earliest opportunity to report speeding or recklessly driven vehicles,” Ruto said.
He directed the police to collaborate with citizens and ensure that dangerously driven PSVs return fares upon arrest.
Ruto explained that the government will ensure Kenyans travel safely in pursuit of opportunities to all places and at all times.
He revealed that the government in spending a lot of money to treat over 20,000 people hospitalized after sustaining injuries in road accidents.
