CS Murkomen meets stakeholders in transport sector over increased road carnage

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen when he met the transport sector stakeholders. [Courtesy] In efforts by the government to transform the transport sector, Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen held a high-level meeting with stakeholders in the industry to air out issues leading to increasing road accidents in the country. The public-private dialogue brought together representatives from the Federation of Public Transport Sector, Kenya Transporters Association, Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority and Kenya Private Sector Alliance where it emerged that lack of proper coordination and poor regulation of the sector are some of the drivers of traffic offences. The meeting came shortly after CS Murkomen announced a raft of measures to be taken to regulate the industry and reduce road accidents that claim More than 4000 every year. Players in the matatu industry complained about runaway corruption and harassment by police that has led to poor adherence of safety rules, proliferation of substandard body parts, punitive fines by the courts. "We will work with KEBS and Anti-Counterfeit Authority on the issue of substandard vehicle parts because that has been a major contributor to road carnage," said National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) Director General George Njau. Edwin Mukabana urged the government to establish a National Transport Institute to offer training for drivers, mechanics and other players in the transport sector. "The same way we have instituted for pilots and train operators, we need a public training institution. We also need a curriculum for the transport sector because training is not for drivers alone. There are mechanics and other operators," said Mukabana. Among the targeted achievements in the regulation of the sector include management and Improvement of Driving Schools, Implementation of the Intelligence Road Safety Management System (IRSMS) and Integrated National Transport Information Management System and Dashboard. Others are enforcement of the Proliferation of Substandard products in the automotive industry and promoting Public Education and awareness of Road Safety. Samuel Kamau who represented the Private Driving Schools Association said the investors in training schools are being charged unreasonable taxes by county governments. Kamau mentioned that some counties were charging up to Sh18,000 for vehicle branding yet it's a requirement by the law to have driving school vehicles branded. Mercy Ireri of Kenya Transporters Association urged the government and the stakeholders to end 'crime tourism ' where she indicated that drivers commit traffic offences and later move to another saccos with little or no punishment. On his part the CS said he would make necessary reforms at the NTSA to ensure effective regulation of the transport sector. CS Murkomen noted that he would look into the challenge of fitting speed governors in public service vehicles after the stakeholders complained that vendors have been exploiting them. "It's unfortunate that the sale of vehicle parts is costing investors millions but they cannot be used for the period of time required. KEBS should ensure the products coming into the country are of required standards," said the CS. On implementation of the recently announced compliance measures, Murkomen insisted that players have up to the end of June to comply. "We must reduce the Carnage on our roads and we will need everyone to play a role. We will make the necessary changes to ensure our roads are safe because road accidents are a major driver in loss of lives in the country," he added. At the same time, CS Murkomen said the government will lift the ban prohibiting hiring out school buses to other purposes other than running school operations. "It is unsustainable to say that communities cannot be allowed to hire school buses whereas most of the buses are bought by the people through fundraising," said Murkomen. He added that; "Sustainability in managing these buses depends on hiring out the buses to the communities. This is a conversation with the Ministry of Education." Instead, the CS said school children should not be transported between 11pm and 5am.

CS Murkomen meets stakeholders in transport sector over increased road carnage

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