Mudavadi: We'll deploy more speed cameras during festive season

The government has okayed the deployment of speed cameras countrywide to monitor and check against speed limit violators during the festive season.

The Ministry of Interior and National Administration said Thursday that its multi-agency team of officers will enforce speed limits to reduce road accidents.

In a statement, the ministry said officers had been instructed to be vigilant on all main highways and other key roads to monitor and enforce compliance with traffic rules.

The ministry said Base Commanders and officers serving within their stations have been instructed to do their utmost to preserve safety and ensure no incidents occur within their jurisdictions.

"Every officer must actively monitor, report and address any non-compliance to road safety regulations. This is critical to the National Road Safety Goal of reducing road traffic fatalities by 50 per cent before 2028,'' the ministry said.

In a statement signed by acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, officers have been instructed to escalate action against illegal and unlicensed PSVs to prevent them from operating as passenger transport vehicles.

"Such vehicles should not be allowed to carry passengers, as they do not meet the required standards for passenger safety as stipulated in the NTSA (Operation of PSV) Regulations of 2014,'' Mudavadi said.

Private vehicles have often been impounded during the festive season for carrying passengers to cash in on the high fares contrary to the law.

Mudavadi noted that there will also be strict enforcement of vehicle roadworthiness regulations, including ensuring that all PSVs have valid road service licenses either for long-distance or commuter routes.

"This will help to ensure that only safe vehicles are on the road,'' the CS said.

Mudavadi said there will also be increased police presence and patrols along major highways, both day and night to monitor and enforce compliance with traffic laws.

The CS said the enhanced patrols will serve to discourage reckless driving, and speed violations, and to prevent unlicensed and overloaded PSVs from operating.

The month of December normally records the highest number of fatalities as Kenyas travel to rural areas to join their loved ones during the festive season.

"'I therefore urge Kenyans in this festive season especially Public Service Vehicle (PSV) drivers driving on long-distance trips to be careful and drive safely,'' Mudavadi said.