100 police officers deployed to NTSA in attempt to improve safety on Kenyan roads

Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, James Macharia flags off 45 vehicles for the National Transport and Safety Authority including ambulances at Uhuru Park, Nairobi. These will help the officers to enforcement traffic rules in counties. With him are NTSA officials. PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

NAIROBI: Some 100 police officers have been deployed to the country's transport authority to assist in bringing sanity in the sector.

Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia Monday confirmed the approval of the first batch of 100 officers to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) who were seconded by Interior and coordination ministry.

The officers who were flagged off Monday together with 45 branded patrol cars will ensure traffic rules are adhered to across the country with Nairobi getting more emphasis.

Among the vehicles are five ambulances that will be used to respond to accident scenes and rush victims to hospitals in real time.

"Most of the fatalities on our roads are attributed to over speeding. Drunkenness and pedestrians walking on undesignated areas are also major contributors to road accidents," noted Macharia.

Macharia said NTSA had been given proper funding and will therefore they would be able to take more action on errant and non-conforming road users countrywide.

"NTSA will ensure the reduction of accidents and will focus checking on over speeding, drunken driving, reckless and dangerous driving, non-use of seat belts, pedestrian safety and Public Service Vehicles compliance to traffic rules and regulations," said the CS.

The vehicles made up of station wagons and ambulances were leased at a cost of Sh630 million as a part of an ongoing government vehicle leasing programme under the ministry of Treasury.

"The patrol teams are expected to also enforce motor cycle rules and regulations to curb the rise in bodaboda accidents," he added.

According to the latest statistics from NTSA, in the month of January to March 17, were 732 people had lost their lives from road carnage making a 17 percent increase compared to similar period in 2015's 622.

Of the deaths, 287 were pedestrians, 87 drivers, 213 passengers, 21 pedal cyclists and 124 motorcycle operators.

In 2015, deaths as a result of road accidents were 3,057.