The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has launched a nationwide crackdown targeting motorists operating vehicles with expired or invalid documents.
The exercise began in Turkana County on Wednesday, September 10, in a joint operation involving NTSA and the National Police Service (NPS).
Authorities are targeting motorists driving with expired licences, invalid insurance and defective speed governors, among other traffic offences.
Several motorists were arrested during the Turkana operation and taken to court, where some were fined. Others were allowed to leave after renewing their expired driving licences and insurance documents.
Speaking during the exercise, NTSA official Benard Boni said the inspections were aimed at reducing road crashes and deaths caused by mechanical problems and failure to comply with traffic regulations.
“We are jointly working with the National Police Service in the whole of Turkana. We are carrying out joint compliance inspections to curb fatalities and reduce accidents that may occur due to mechanical defects on vehicles,” Boni said.
NTSA Flags Defective Speed Governors
Boni identified defective speed governors as one of the main problems uncovered during the inspections.
The authority also found a number of vehicles operating without valid insurance, with private vehicles among those flagged during the exercise.
“We have noticed several challenges, especially defective speed governors. Most vehicles are not insured, especially private vehicles,” Boni said.
Motorists found violating traffic laws are being subjected to enforcement measures, including arrest and prosecution.
Those who renew their expired documents and comply with the requirements may be released, while motorists who fail to comply face court action.
“We have readily enforced traffic laws and ensured that they have been taken to court and fined. Others have complied by renewing their licences and insurance, and some have been released,” Boni added.
Crackdown to Spread Across Counties
NTSA said the exercise will continue in other parts of the country as authorities step up efforts to ensure vehicles operating on Kenyan roads meet the required safety standards.
The authority has urged motorists to check their driving licences, insurance and other vehicle documents before getting on the road to avoid arrest and prosecution.
Under the Traffic Act, driving with an expired or invalid licence can attract a fine of up to Ksh20,000 or a prison term of up to three months.
Motorists found driving without valid vehicle insurance risk a fine of up to Ksh10,000.
