Top officials spend night in cells for undermining road safety campaign

The wreckage of a Matatu that was involved in an accident at Kariandusi in Gilgil, along Nairobi-Nakuru Highway on September 28, 2025. [Photo, Standard] Mombasa Top government officials are undermining the ongoing road safety campaign through intimidation, despite flouting traffic laws. Coast Region Traffic Commander George Kashimiri stated that last week, they arrested and detained top government officials from Nairobi for violating traffic laws. Kashimiri said that the top officials unsuccessfully tried to invoke their offices to secure their release. "Last week we arrested senior government officials who were flouting the law, and I even received calls from Nairobi to release them, but they slept in the cell," said Kashimiri. The traffic boss spoke during the launch of the Speeding Campaign alongside the 2024 Mombasa Road Safety Report, where tuktuk, bodaboda, and Matatus Sacco in Mombasa committed to ensuring zero fatalities during the festivities. During the launch, the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA), the Kenya National Highway Authority (KNHA), the Mombasa County traffic department and the traffic police, and Bloomberg Road Safety agreed to collaborate to end road fatalities that stand at 222. Kashimiri said that the traffic police and county traffic will be arresting anyone found speeding, overloading and running traffic lights. He said the tuk-tuk and bodaboda have been cited as the number one flouters of traffic law that have led to increased fatalities in Mombasa County. Kashimiri said that all motorists, including tuk-tuks and bodabodas, will be expected to drive at 50 kmph in town centres. He said all the traffic officers are expected to have a road safety awareness campaign strategy to ensure road safety during the festivities. "We are at the enforcement stage, and we are not compromising. We need to have zero fatalities this festive season. We have speed guns and alcohol blows, and for pedestrians, do not assume the driver is seeing you. Safety is your concern," said Kashimiri. Mombasa County Transport Chief Executive Committee officer CEC Daniel Manyala said that the county has lost 222 people to road fatalities. "From 2019 to 2024, we have lost 22200 lives on our roads. We must ensure our roads are safe. Those who break the law will be held responsible," said the CECM. Manyala said that he will not bail anyone out who is found breaking the traffic laws, regardless of his status and position in the government and society. He admitted that tuk-tuks have become a menace in town while speeding and cutting off other motorists. "I have been in these tuk-tuks, and the way they speed leaves me wondering if the engines are modified. "The county has established a 50 kmph limit within the Central Business District (CBD) to curb the speeding tuk-tuks and bodabodas that have led to high pedestrian fatalities," said Manyala. Chief Officer for Transport and Traffic Management, Eng. Ali Sharif, said that Mombasa people are stubborn and ignorant when it comes to changing behaviour. Sharrif said there was huge confusion after 10 years of not having traffic lights, and drivers were just passing. "Bodaboda riders are not complying with the traffic lights. When the red light goes off, they see green. We have installed 22 smart cameras, and by January, all those flouting the traffic lights will be arrested," said Shariff. Matatu Owners Association Chair Ali Bates said that all speed governors in Passenger Service Vehicles (PSVs) should come pre-installed by manufacturers to avoid tampering by drivers who overspeed. "All matatus and buses should come when already fixed. "They always tamper with the speed governors," said Bates. He said that most of the matatus are unroadworthy and operate despite being flagged down by NTSA. Bodaboda Chair Samuel Ogutu admitted that they are leading in accidents because of reckless driving and overloading. "We are the ones leading in accidents. In this period, we know we shall be busy, and we shall have a lot of people. We have those who overload four people," said Ogutu. Tuktuk Chair Dickson Kibagendi said through saccos, they will be able to reduce cases of theft by tracking all the tuktuks in the county. Kibagendi, however, said that politics are derailing the achievement of road safety as people intimidate traffic officers by invoking influential political connections. National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) officer Douglas Nyagwoka said that they have launched a festive and back-to-school public education and road safety campaign on all roads. Kenya National Highway Authority (KENHA) Jared Dimo said that vandalism of road signage is a traffic disaster for new road users. "Vandalism is the big challenge. The signage, when vandalised, removes the warning for new road users. I urge us to work together. If you see anybody doing vandalism, report them," said Nyagwoka. He said KENHA is doing lighting under the economic zones and installing cameras to do the monitoring on all roads.

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