Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has announced a nationwide crackdown following a surge in road accidents.
In a statement, the CS noted that the crackdown will start next week.
“Next week, the Ministries of Interior and National Administration and Transport and Infrastructure will unveil Nationwide Enforcement measures that will be comprehensively implemented to get rid of unroadworthy vehicles and apprehend rogue drivers and riders,” he stated.
“Traffic Police officers are directed to ruthlessly crackdown on personal vehicles operating as Public Service Vehicles without the requisite licensing and regulatory frameworks.”
According to the Kenya Police Traffic Department, in collaboration with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has been carrying out planned and impromptu operations targeting vehicles that are violating the Highway Code. These operations have led to the arrest and prosecution of 22,958 drivers and realisation of Ksh.300 Million in Court fines and forfeiture in the periods of 1st January to 29th February 2024.
Drunk driving is a major cause for road traffic crashes. 1,086 drivers have been arrested and prosecuted from 1st January to 29th February 2024. In the same period, motorcycle-related accidents led to 255 deaths. 5,590 motorcyclists have been apprehended and prosecuted and 6,692 motorcycles detained, he stated.
To contain the surge, he insisted that re-testing of drivers will be re-introduced and a crackdown launched in all parts of the country.
A recent accident involved a Kenyatta University bus which was ferrying students to an education trip. The accident left several students dead and others injured.
