A woman walks past Kenya Police roadblock along City Hall Way, Nairobi on 18th July 2016, as the 14 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) took place at the Kenyatta International Convention Center(KICC) in Nairobi [Elvis Ogina, Standard]
The National Police Service has introduced new traffic rules in a bid to tame incidents of impropriety in the service and enhance delivery on major highways.
The rules include the introduction of 38 patrol cars on major highways to conduct mobile random checks on specified routes and abolishing of roadblocks.
Inspector-General of Police Hilary Mutyambai said the cars will have four personnel who will include the in charge, driver and two others.
“There will be no discussions with traffic offenders at any given checkpoints and the checks should not affect the free flow of the traffic on the routes,” he said.
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He added trained personnel have been deployed in all towns to facilitate the free flow of traffic and ensure there is prompt response to incidents.
Deputy Inspector General of police Njoroge Mbugua read out the rules at the Police Pavilion, South C when the IG commissioned 25 new cars to be deployed on the routes and enhance operations. The vehicles include 17 that will be distributed to major highways and eight to regional commanders for their patrols.
He also announced there will be no 14-seater matatus that will be allowed into the Central Business District except those operating on long distance routes.
“All road users should comply with the traffic rules, Insurance Act and National Transport and Safety Authority Act,” he said.
He told drivers whose cars are moving slowly to maintain the left lanes.
Vehicles with minor offences will not be detained by police and will be released on bails or addressed by insurance covers, said Mbugua.
He directed that offences such as dangerous driving, careless driving, and reckless driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs be handled by having the drivers arrested and the vehicles released to the owners or sacco.
“No officer should be deployed to perform traffic duties without service experience of ten years and all personnel should be in proper uniforms and displayed service tags,” he said.
Two weeks ago, police commanders were ordered to recall excess traffic officers from the roads and deploy them to other duties.
Mbugua said he believes the deployment of excess traffic officers on roads is purely for personal gains.
He said the increase of traffic police officers has raised the number of complaints from motorists.
Mbugua said traffic commanders have not requested for additional officers and the increase of traffic officers on roads is not proportional to the number of cases detected.
“It has come to my attention that commanders are deploying many officers to perform traffic duties at the expense of other police duties. Due to the many officers, there are many complaints on harassment of motorists. I have no doubts that this is happening for personal gains thus your integrity is questionable,” Mbugua said.
The police boss directed regional and county police commanders to recall the officers and deploy them on prevention and detection of crimes.
Mutyambai had last June announced that patrols had been enhanced on major highways to address any fears following the withdrawal of traffic checkpoints and roadblocks.
He added many of the traffic personnel who have been manning the roadblocks will now be redeployed to general duties.
Those who will remain especially at stations near the affected roads will respond to scenes and man urban areas.
He said roadblocks will be erected with the instructions of the regional police commanders with a specific purpose.
He added according to new rules, not more than ten officers will be deployed on traffic duties.
The checkpoints and roadblocks on highways shall now only be mounted with express authority of Regional/Formation Commanders and must be justified and rationalized.
He issued the directive and revealed commanders shall be held accountable for any misconduct by the traffic officers, which goes unpunished under their commands.
“This streamlining is already on course as can be confirmed by the number of checks currently in place from Mombasa to Malaba. We call up on all Kenyans of goodwill to support us by obeying the law and avoid in corrupt activities on our roads,” he said.
He said public safety on the roads remains one of his top objectives.
“This calls for both parties not only to desist from corrupt activities on the road but also to stand against such by reporting them to relevant authorities,” he said.
The move meant police who will be on the highways will be under the express order of the commanders in the region with a justification.
When he came to office, Mutyambai had indicated he will streamline traffic operations in the country.
Affected routes
- Mombasa-Malindi
- Mobasa-Lungalunga
- Mombasa-Mackinon
- Mackinon-Voi-Mwatate-Taveta
- Voi-Mtito Andei
- Mtito Andei-Sultan Hamud
- Sultan Hamud-Machakos Kyunvi Junction
- Thika-Mwingi
- Athi River-Kajiado-Namanga
- Nairobi-Thika-Muranga
- Ruiru-Kiambu-Limuru
- Muranga-Nyeri
- Nyeri-Nanyuki
- Nyeri-Nyahururu-Nakuru
- Mwea-Embu
- Meru-Isiolo-Nanyuki
- Garisa-Mwingi
- Nairobi-Kinungi
- Kinungi-Nakuru
- Nakuru-Mlango Nne
- Mlango Nne-Eldoret
- Eldoret-Kitale-Kapenguria
- Maimahiu-Narok
- Narok-Bomet
- Bomet-Kisii
- Homabay-Kisumu
- Kisumu-Busia
- Busia-Malaba-Bungoma
- Mau Summit-Kerocho-Kisumu
- Webuye-Kakamega-Kisumu.
