Ruto gives Murkomen 90 days to ensure crash hotspots, PSVs are fitted with cameras
President William Ruto has ordered Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Director General Geroge Njao to collaborate closely to enhance road safety measures in the country.
The president was speaking during the launch of the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2028 at KICC in Nairobi, where he urged all stakeholders in the transport sector to fully participate in ensuring road safety.
“For too long, there has been a disconnect and competition between traffic police and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) in enforcing traffic rules, which has hindered the achievement of desired results. M. IG, Mr DG, please, I expect greater collaboration so that we can see results,” the Head of State said.
At the same time, the president also directed the Ministry of Transport to ensure that all road accident hotspots, road junctions, and PSVs are fitted with cameras within 90 days.
The President said negligence on the roads must stop and road safety measures must be strengthened, including the use of modern technology to improve the monitoring of traffic violations and the introduction of instant fines.
President Ruto said no one will be exempted from adhering to road safety regulations, noting that the government is tackling corruption among traffic police officers because the vice makes them turn a blind eye to speeding and reckless driving that then cause accidents.
“Our justice, law and order agencies must coordinate and maintain robust law enforcement by ensuring that offenders are detected, apprehended, prosecuted and punished swiftly and transparently,” he said.
On his part, Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen said that road safety is a priority for my Ministry and the Government. Many of these accidents are caused by recklessness.
“Road accidents shatter families and devastate communities, and the toll in human suffering and economic loss is immense. The cost to Kenya’s economy is estimated at Sh450 billion a year. The bulk of the burden is disproportionately carried by trauma victims and their families, but our hospitals and emergency services also feel the effect,” he said.
He added that the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2028 will help the ministry to make roads safer for all users. The plan includes initiatives to improve road infrastructure, enhance enforcement measures, raise public awareness, and promote safe driving.
“A key component of the Plan is how to improve the safety of school transport. School buses are required to operate within specified hours and must undergo regular inspection, while school drivers should be retrained and retested,” he added.
The Plan also opens up a serious national conversation on road safety, and drivers should be at the centre of it. Besides pushing for better driver education and greater enforcement of traffic rules, the ministry wants drivers and motorcycle riders to have dignity, and they will ensure that they get a workday of no more than eight hours.
Technology will also be at the forefront of any measures taken to improve road safety, including speed cameras and instant fines, and surveillance cameras at high-risk junctions.
Latest data from NTSA reveals that at least 1,213 people have died on the road in the past three months.
Pedestrians account for the largest number of fatalities at 445, followed by motorcyclists at 285 and passengers at 259.
According to the data captured between January 1 and April 3, pillion (motorcycle) passengers came fourth at 103 followed by drivers (99) and pedal cyclists (24).
The deaths are an increase of 5.8 per cent from 1,146 during the same period last year.
Last year, more than 4,300 people were killed in road accidents while the rest – from the 22,885 that were involved in accidents, were left with life-changing injuries.
hkimuyu@ke.nationmedia.com
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