Ministers warned about road use

By CYRUS OMBATi

Cabinet Ministers' drivers found breaking traffic rules will be arrested and their vehicles detained, Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere, warned.

The police boss told Government drivers they are not exempted from following traffic rules.

He said in a letter sent to Permanent Secretaries there has been an increase in the number of accidents where Government drivers are to blame.

"Some drivers have formed a habit of breaking the highway code by overlapping, causing obstruction to other road users, double parking and reckless driving," the letter, also copied to local authorities read in part.

Iteere drew the drivers to the Traffic Act, which stipulates that any person who drives a vehicle without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road shall be guilty of an offence.

"Similarly, section 53 provided that no vehicle shall be allowed to remain in any position on a road so as to obstruct or cause inconvenience or danger to other traffic using the road," the letter said.

Sources said the commissioner’s directive was out of numerous complaints he had received that some ministers, especially in Nairobi, usually drive on the wrong side of the road to and from work.

Iteere, however, said in cases deemed necessary, the police should facilitate fast movement but local OCPDs should be informed in time to make the arrangements.

Quick movement

"Even under such circumstances, drivers must comply with the instructions of the police officers deployed to facilitate quick movement," he said.

Iteere further directed police officers to apply the law equally and without favour.

Another source said a minister’s car was detained for hours at a city police station after it hit a pedestrian and injured him seriously.

It is not clear if the driver was later charged in court.

Motorists using Kiambu Road have written to Iteere complaining of ministers’ cars that do not obey the set rules.

And following the orders, city council officials have in the past week clamped more than 30 Government vehicles over traffic offences.