Mudavadi Directs Police, NTSA To Intensify Crackdown On All Matatus

Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) and acting Interior CS, Musalia Mudavadi, on Thursday, December 19 tasked the National Transport and Safety Authority(NTSA) and the National Police Service(NPS), issuing strict orders on the regulations of all public service vehicles (PSVs) across the country during the festive season.

Speaking during a security press briefing at Harambee House in Nairobi, Mudavadi directed the police and NTSA to enhance patrols on major highways to curb reckless driving practices that have been largely responsible for road accidents in Kenya throughout the years.

Mudavdi 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.

"The month of December normally records the highest number of fatalities. I therefore urge Kenyans in this festive season, especially Public Service Vehicles drivers driving on long-distance trips to be careful and drive safely," Mudavadi appealed to Kenyans. "To ensure the safety of our people during the festive season, I give the following directives to our security enforcement officers."

NTSA officers during a past crackdown. /FILE

To start with, 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.

To address the increasing fatalities from road carnages, Mudavadi has directed the NPS to enforce non-compliance laws to reduce the cases before 2028.

Mudavadi at the same time disclosed that 383 police officers have been killed in the line of duty in the last six years. Between January and December 17, 2024, 55 officers lost their lives on duty.

“To our dedicated security personnel, the often unsung heroes and protectors of our safety, we owe a debt of gratitude. Your unwavering commitment, often at great personal risk, secures the freedoms and peace we cherish. You are the guardians of our nation’s security and your sacrifices do not go unnoticed.

“It is important for you to note that between January and December 17, 2024, there were a total of 55 deaths. In the last six years, we have lost 383 officers in the line of duty. This year, 830 officers have been injured in the line of duty,” Mudavadi remarked.

The Prime CS further reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring the safety of all Kenyans ahead of the festive season and urged members of the public to partner with law enforcement agencies by reporting criminal activities and suspicious behaviour.

On December 5, 2024, the National Police Service (NPS) announced that it deployed more specialized units including Formed Police Units and undercover officers alongside the Regular Police, to intensify patrols and heighten both ground and aerial surveillance in the major towns, borders, places of worship, shopping malls and critical infrastructural areas.