Magistrate says fines charged on law breakers are clearly stipulated in the law

By ANTONY GITONGA            

The judiciary has defended itself against accusations that it was crippling the public transport through hefty and inhumane fines.

It pointed to the law adding that the gazetted rules clearly stipulated the fines various offenders would face it found breaking the law.

This came as motorists plying the Nairobi-Nakuru highway protested over the high fines imposed by mobile courts along the busy road.

Naivasha Chief Magistrate Stephen Githinji said the fines were formulated in a bid to stem the rising cases of traffic accidents.

He noted that accident cases had dropped significantly as drivers were now aware of the fines imposed on them along the Nakuru- Nairobi highway.

“I understand what they are going through but we have to follow the law to the letter and I call on motorists to adhere to the traffic regulations to avert the hefty fines,” he said.

His sentiments came even as motorists plying the highway continued to cry foul over the high fines that have made some of them abandon their vehicles at the Naivasha police station.

According to Githinji, the Nakuru Nairobi highway was the most dangerous in terms of accidents adding that the judiciary in partnership with the police was committed to reduce the cases.

Githinji was speaking when he officially flagged off the Kenya federation of roller skating national team when they paid him a courtesy call.

He said he intended to partner with the skating team that participated in the world championships in Belgium to raise funds for the completion of a children’s holding centre in Naivasha.

“We don’t have a holding centre for juveniles here and they are forced to spend the night at the Naivasha police station with adult convicts”.

On his part the head coach of the skating team Joel Obanda said they were en-route to Nairobi where they will complete a one week journey from Kericho.

Obanda said they had joined hands with Finch secondary school in Londiani Kericho County to raise funds for the completion of a laboratory and a tuition block.

He said the National team performed brilliantly in the world championships and was ranked the second in Africa after South Africa.

“The team needs proper support if we are to rate ourselves with the elite European teams who have the best training facilities across the globe”.

He called on support from well-wishers adding that they intended to construct a standard skating field as they sought to take the game to other counties in the country.

Finch secondary school principal Eric Chepkwony who is accompanying the team said they intended to raise Sh2M for the projects in the school.

“We will meet donors who have shown interest in funding these projects once we get to Nairobi and I call on other well-wishers to come forth and join our course”.