Murkomen Gives Kenyans Power To Report Reckless Drivers
Murkomen at the same time called upon motorists to take personal responsibility by...
Marvin Chege 
Transport Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen has called upon members of the public to be vigilant in reporting reckless drivers in a bid to curb road accidents ahead of the festive season.
Speaking during the launch of the 2022 December Festivity Enforcement Initiative on Tuesday, December 20 at Harambee House, Murkomen at the same time called upon motorists to take personal responsibility by obeying the law and following road safety precautions.
He appealed to private motor vehicle owners, heavy commercial vehicle owners and PSV Saccos to ensure drivers are well rested and vehicles well serviced before taking to the roads as inter-county travel is expected to shoot up during the festive period.
“We are working with citizens to promote personal responsibility by encouraging passengers in both private and public vehicles to speak out against reckless driving and other habits that endanger the lives of Kenyans,” Murkomen stated.
Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen with his counterpart in Interior, Kithure Kindiki, addressing the media on December 20, 2022. /CITIZEN DIGITAL
“We urge motorists, especially those driving heavy commercial vehicles and public service vehicles operating at night to implement measures that will enhance visibility. This includes proper positioning of signage like triangles, chevrons, and retro-reflective.”
Backing up his sentiments, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki blamed the increase in recent road accidents on factors that can easily be prevented, including human error. He thus directed police officers to crack down "heavily and without exceptions" on those found flouting Kenya's traffic rules
"There is a manifest correlation between the increase in the incidences of recorded accidents and the higher number of vehicles on our roads around this time of the year. But the high number of accidents also point to human error and the merrymaking and other indulgences typical of the festive season as major contributors to this notable spike," he said.
"I have given the Inspector General my personal assurances and those of the Government that we will provide his officers with the necessary support to enforce the safety of every Kenyan on our roads and a deliberate campaign targeting the reduction of our unacceptable high road fatalities."
Kindiki expressed that the government expects 100 per cent compliance with the relevant traffic requirements by motorists and other road users and that the rules must be observed in their entirety by all.
Punishable offences include:
- Speeding
- Overloading of goods and excess passengers
- Contravening of licensed Public Service Vehicle (PSV) route
- Night operation without a valid night travel licence
- Operating a PSV without valid licences
- Operating vehicles without a valid inspection
- Installation of unlawful lights on motor vehicles
- Drink driving
- Delayed removal of stalled vehicles, and
- Any other traffic infringements.
Murkomen further instructed the Kenya National Highways Authority, (KeNHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) to heighten surveillance on Kenyan roads and ensure all stalled vehicles are towed within one hour to enable smooth flow of traffic.
“I have also directed NTSA to intensify the Usalama Barabarani programme and awareness campaigns to effect positive behaviour change among road users. The Authority is already engaging PSV Saccos on the well-being of drivers and ensuring they are sensitised on their role in preventing road carnage," he added.
The CS also read out a recent report that showed the number of Kenyans who died in road accidents in 2022, which he said was more than those of COVID-19. According to him, 4,449 people lost their lives in the last year, a three per cent increase from 2021 when there were 4,271 cases.
CS Murkomen continued by breaking down the cases, noting that there were 403 driver fatalities overall, 1,190 motorcycle riders, and 1595 pedestrians. In the same 2022 time frame, 1,204 passengers died.
“We have lost 4,449 people, if you see the statistics, pedestrians who are closing the road are 1,595, drivers are 403, passengers are 793, 411 motorcycle passengers 411. We have lost 1,190 motorcycle riders,” he stated.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) said fatality rates are higher in highly urbanized counties, a trend the agency attributed to better infrastructure and an increase in population which has increased interaction between vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, motorcyclists and vehicles on the road.
It also attributed the night accidents to reduced enforcement during the aforementioned times, high volumes of traffic and pedestrians (rush hour), pedestrians crossing at non-designated or unsafe areas and getting easily knocked down or ran over by speeding vehicles, driver fatigue and drunk driving.
