CS Murkomen Makes U-Turn On Uhuru Order On NTSA Officers On Roads

Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen on Tuesday, March 19 announced a policy which reverses a directive issued by former President Uhuru Kenyatta ordering National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) officers off the road.

In a statement, the CS revealed that the decision came following consultations with his Interior counterpart, Kithure Kindiki.

This will see the reintroduction of NTSA officers who will work alongside the National Police Service (NPS) officers in terms of enforcing traffic laws.

"Having consulted with my Interior and National Coordination colleague, Prof Kithure Kindiki, we are going to establish a mechanism where the previous directive to remove NTSA from enforcement will be vacated and a collaborative regime between NTSA and NPS will be put in place for a more efficient enforcement," he announced.

"You will be seeing a return of the NTSA working with traffic police to enforce traffic safety on our roads as soon as possible."

This effectively reverses an order issued by Uhuru back in 2018 which had ordered all NTSA officials to leave Kenyan roads and leave that duty to the police.

This was among the directives issued by the CS after a grisly accident occurred along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway on Monday involving a Kenyatta University bus and a trailer.

This accident resulted in the death of 11 students while 20 people sustained severe injuries.

Murkomen also announced the implementation of driver re-testing which was postponed following an outcry from the Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and heavy commercial vehicle sector, whose drivers were targeted for the retesting.

Furthermore, Murkomen ordered NTSA to put in place measures for the implementation of medical testing of all drivers before the issuance of any new driving licences and renewal to ensure that only medically fit drivers are licensed to drive.

"NTSA to put in place measures for the implementation of medical testing of all drivers as required by Section 105A(1) and (2) and Rule 30(4) of the Traffic (Driving Schools, Driving Instructors and Driving License) Rules 202 before the issuance of any new driving licences and renewal thereof to ensure that only drivers who are medically fit are licensed to drive," he added.

The CS also ordered NPS and NTSA to intensify the ongoing nationwide enforcement and impound all unroadworthy vehicles and those not integrated with the intelligent road safety management system for transmission of speed limiter data.

"In conclusion, as we approach the Easter festivities and closing of schools, we shall be working closely with the NPS and monitoring the enforcement of traffic laws and regulations.

"I urge all road users to be cautious about their safety and the safety of others to prevent the needless loss of lives," he added.