200 officers deployed to Kenya's Highway Patrol Unit

Close to 200 police officers have been deployed to the revamped Highway Patrol Unit (HPU).

The officers are drawn from various police stations in the country.

They will now report to the HPU based at Traffic headquarters under Mr Karisa Mwaringa and be allocated the routes to man.

HPU was formed in 2005 to exclusively fight crime and enforce traffic rules along the main highways.

It was, however, neglected, especially with the coming in of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), which appeared to take over its mandate.
The officers will, among others, be part of a special unit to secure the northern corridor from Nairobi to Busia and clear the road to facilitate easier movement of goods.

The formation of the unit was jointly announced by Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and his Ugandan counterpart Maj Gen Kale Kayihura.

“They will operate within the law and ensure there is fast and smooth movement of cargo from the port to the intended destination beyond Malaba border to DRC, Burundi, South Sudan and Rwanda,” said Kaiyahura.

COMMON OBJECTIVE

Uganda has been complaining of slow movement of goods from Mombasa due to various reasons including corruption. The new team will now address the issues and ensure fast and secure movement of goods.

Those moved in the changes announced by police headquarters include nine assistant superintendents, 20 inspectors and 20 sergeants.

They will supplement those seconded to the NTSA, which has been running the show on the major highways.

Mr Boinnet said the move will help achieve the common objective of a safe, reliable, efficient transport system and proper enforcement of traffic laws.

The police chief said the officers were making all efforts to reduce reckless driving and impunity.

NTSA director general Francis Meja said road safety had become a serious concern.

“None of us is safe as long as we have drunk and reckless drivers on our roads,” he said.

Meja singled out boda boda operators as being notorious for flouting traffic regulations at will.

Meja said collaboration between NTSA and police was crucial to restoring order, discipline and safety. He said there were plans to establish a platform where the public can interact and freely share information with NTSA to rein in errant drivers and other motorists.

Boinnet called for synergy with other players such as the Judiciary, Matatu Saccos and insurance companies to create a robust, effective and efficient traffic management system.