Police reject NYS plans to manage traffic on Nairobi roads

Kenya: The National Police Service has rejected plans by the National Youth Service to manage traffic flow in Nairobi.

Instead, police have asked NYS to seek for changes in several laws governing police operations and in specific traffic to allow their involvement.

The laws include the National Police Service Act, Traffic Act among others.

A delegation of officials from NYS had visited traffic headquarters two weeks ago seeking to be enjoined in the affairs.

They met traffic commandant Charlton Muriithi and his team ready for the work but were informed it would be difficult for them to be involved.

Muriithi confirmed the meeting took place and what he informed the team.

"We told them to first do it formally and ensure some of these laws that govern our operations are amended to accommodate them. Otherwise we may have chaos on the road if they are just brought in," said Muriithi.

The police boss said traffic personnel are the ones who are legally allowed to enforce the law and for any other person to come on board, there must be changes in law.

An official at NYS who asked not to be named said they understood the police concern over their plans and that they were consulting widely on the same.

"We understand they are the law enforcement agents and if we are just allowed to manage the traffic flow we may be stranded with many cases and even be attacked by rowdy motorists," said a senior official at NYS.

Police are at times overwhelmed by traffic flow that they are helped by County askaris on some roads.