300 policemen to be seconded to NTSA to bolster agency

Principal Secretary Wilson Irungu Nyakera

MOMBASA: Three hundred police officers will be seconded to the National Transport and Safety Authority NTSA to firm its operation according to a proposal made by the authority.

The proposal is awaiting cabinet approval. Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure James Macharia is expected to spearhead and defend the proposal before the Cabinet.

The new police force under NTSA will be the enforcement arm of the authority. Under the current law and arrangement NTSA officers are not allowed to arrest traffic and code offenders. In order to effect any arrest they have to be accompanied by police officers.

Transport Principal Secretary, Mr Wilson Irungu Nyakera said in Mombasa on Saturday that the proposed change will help boost efficiency in the authority whose main objective is to harmonise operations of key road transport department.

NTSA was established through an act of parliament, Act number 33 on October 26 2012.

'' We want to ensure that NTSA is given full capacity to carry out its duties as we seek to reduce accidents on our roads,'' the PS said.

Already, the PS added that the government through Treasury has made provision for acquisition of 45 motor vehicles to the agency that will solely be used for patrols.

Statistics availed by NTSA on road fatalities indicated that the number of accidents increased by 5.2 per cent to stand at 3,057 compared to 2,907 in 2014.

Further statistics indicated that private cars caused the highest number of fatalities (at 35 per cent of the total).

Nyakera said that apart from coming up with stringent rules governing road users, it was important that all and sundry observe discipline when on the roads.

'' Issues of road mishaps have everything to do with discipline and when this is adhered to , we shall overcome the many accidents on our roads,'' noted the PS.

Kenya has been losing an average of 3000 lives through road traffic crashes annually thus
placing it among countries with the highest number of road crashes globally

Nyakera added that the government is committed to ensuring that the momentum created in addressing road safety is maintained

'' We will therefore continue implementing the ongoing road safety programmes with an aim of reducing road crash fatalities,'' the PS said.

He added that they expect all stakeholders to play their rightful role in ensuring safety on our roads.