Traffic rules here to stay, says CS Michael Kamau

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure Engineer Michael Kamau

By KAMAU MUTHONI and ISAAC MESO

NAIROBI, KENYA: The Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure Engineer Michael Kamau has declared that the new traffic rules will continue to be in force.

He said the regulations have helped reduce the number of fatalities caused by road accidents.

Kamau who was releasing the first quarter road accidents analysis Monday said there is a significant reduction in the number of deaths on the roads. The CS added that the Government would not relent in implementing the rules since this would mean allowing Kenyans to “kill themselves”.

The statement came hours after the High Court ordered that Rule 11 of the Traffic Act be suspended. He said that he had not received any orders by Justice George Odunga and thus the implementation will continue.

“As you can see, there is a significant reduction of road accidents on the roads. If I will be summoned to appear before the court to answer as to why I have been saving Kenyans from killing themselves, then I will be glad to appear and explain,” said Kamau.

He said Rule 11 which touched on couriers was as a result of findings that many of the long distance vehicles lost control due to their centre of gravity when carrying luggage.

He said that the only solution is to have vehicles carrying luggage at the base instead of on the rooftop as this will also help in increasing stability.

The CS said there are new emerging trends of accidents saying that motor vehicles for hire at social functions have been causing more accidents than the passenger service ones.