19 Motorists Arrested As NTSA Exposes Traffic Violations During Ongoing Crackdown
In Kwale County, 19 motorists were arrested and charged with various traffic offences along the Dongo Kundu bypass.
Marvin Chege 
Hours after Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, in his earlier capacity as acting Interior CS, directed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to crack down on vehicles flouting traffic rules, the authority from Thursday, December 19 moved into action.
In Kwale County, 19 motorists were arrested and charged with various traffic offences along the Dongo Kundu bypass.
In a report on the ongoing compliance checks on major highways on Friday, December 20, NTSA detailed that the motorists were found to have failed to wear seatbelts and driving above stipulated speed limits.
Moreover, the motorists landed in hot soup for operating unroadworthy vehicles, contravening insurance policies and using illegal Public Service Vehicles (PSVs). Contravening insurance refers to a motorist violating the legal requirements of motor vehicle insurance.
NTSA officials conducting compliance checks in Kirinyaga County on December 19, 2024. /NTSA
The crackdown also began in Kirinyaga County with motorists urged to book and present their vehicles for inspection to avoid any inconveniences.
"Several unroadworthy vehicles were impounded on Thursday, December 19. PSV and Commercial vehicles must operate with valid inspection certificates," NTSA stated on X.
Kenyans were also urged to check if their driving license is valid as they plan their trips upcountry during the festive season, and any renewals of the same can be done via their eCitizen accounts.
NTSA promised that it would continue with the compliance checks on major highways during the festive season, with roads within towns such as Ngong not spared in the wave of compliance checks.
Mudavadi on Thursday tasked NTSA and the National Police Service (NPS) to enhance patrols on major highways to curb reckless driving practices that have been largely responsible for road accidents in Kenya throughout the years.
During a press briefing at Harambee House, he gave statistics on road accidents, stating that the country has recorded an increase in serious injury due to road traffic accidents rising by about 11% since 2023. "There has however been a decrease in fatalities among drivers, passengers, pillion passengers, and motorcyclists by 5.85%, 10%, 9%, and 10.05% respectively," he revealed.
Mudavadi directed increased police presence and patrols along major highways day and night to monitor and enhance compliance with traffic laws, adding that the patrols will discourage reckless driving and speed violations.
The PCS also directed all police commanders to deploy additional officers to enforce vehicle inspection of all PSVs and flag those found operating without valid licenses for long-distance or commuter routes.
The two institutions have also been directed to strictly enforce speed limits across all highways to curb speeding by reckless drivers who cause death and pain to Kenyans.
At the same time, the PCS directed NTSA to heighten action against unlawful and unlicensed PSVs operating on the roads. Base commanders of all police stations were also ordered to preserve safety and ensure no accidents happen within the jurisdictional areas.
