Kenya plans to drive smoking vehicles out of roads

All vehicles, including boda bodas, will be inspected to determine their level of toxic emission from the end of the year. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: All vehicles countrywide will undergo a mandatory inspection to determine their level of toxic emission.

The vehicles, including boda bodas, will be inspected to find out whether they emit excessive toxic gases, determine their physical condition, licensing, passenger capacity and also drivers' compliance with traffic rules.

The inspection is expected to start before the end of the year.

Speaking during the launch of the sub-regional workshop titled, "Promoting Soot-free and Sustainable Public Transport in Africa" in Nairobi, Transport CS James Macharia warned that vehicles found to be non-compliant would have their licences revoked and forced out of the roads.

"We have never had serious policies on emissions. By the end of the year, we will kick off inspection of all vehicles including private vehicles and we urge all citizens to comply with the exercise," said Mr Macharia.

176,000 deaths

The CS said the inspection would done on vehicles that have been in service for more than four years. The vehicles undergo a similar inspection after every two years.

National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Chairperson Lee Kinyanjui noted that more than 176,000 deaths occur every year in Africa due to air pollution.

"NTSA in conjunction with the national government is working to ensure that we improve on the railway system and also introduce other high capacity transport systems in order to address pollution which is mostly caused by congestion. Doctors have reported an increase in upper respiratory illnesses such as lung cancer due to air pollution and that is why we are here to deliberate on policies to help address pollution," said Mr Kinyanjui.

United Nations Head of Transport Rob De Jong said that Nairobi had seen an influx of motorcycles and cars that are responsible for emitting more toxic gases than trucks. He said globally, seven to eight million lives are lost every year to air pollution.