As thousands of Kenyans prepare to travel upcountry and across the country for the festive season, the government has announced tough new measures aimed at curbing the spike in deadly road accidents.
Traffic offenders will now face swift, on-the-spot justice, with the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) rolling out a coordinated plan that brings together police officers, courts and transport regulators on the highways.
The measures include increased roadblocks, the deployment of officials from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and strict enforcement of legally allowed working hours for drivers.
The crackdown comes against the backdrop of worrying statistics. Speaking on Monday, Chief Justice Martha Koome revealed that road deaths have risen by five per cent compared to the same period last year.
“Deaths associated with traffic accidents have increased from 4,479 at this time last year to 4,682 this year,” Koome said, noting that the trend has cast a shadow over what should be a joyful season.
To address the problem, Koome said the NCAJ will deploy mobile courts along major highways to deal with traffic cases immediately, allowing offenders to be processed quickly and resume their journeys where appropriate.
“We do not want to cut short Kenyans’ festivities,” she said. “Those who violate traffic rules will be handled expeditiously and allowed to go on with their holidays. The mobile courts, both physical and electronic, will act as a deterrent and an enforcement tool.”
Strategic roadblocks will be set up along key transport corridors, with special attention given to public service vehicles and motorcycles, which continue to account for a large number of fatal crashes. Officers will be checking vehicle roadworthiness, driver conduct and compliance with safety regulations.
In a move aimed at protecting motorists’ rights, the NCAJ has also established a system to ensure access to legal assistance. Working alongside the police, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Judiciary, the Kenya Prison Service, the EACC and the Law Society of Kenya, the council says offenders who require legal representation will be given time to contact their advocates.
Koome said the Judiciary will share daily information on where mobile courts are stationed to improve transparency and access.
Road users have also been encouraged to speak up. Toll-free numbers — 999, 911 and 112 — will be active throughout the festive period for reporting dangerous driving, drunk motorists and even corruption by enforcement officers.
Beyond enforcement, the NCAJ has issued a warning to public transport operators, urging them not to prioritise profits over human life. Transport companies have been reminded that drivers should not be on the road for more than eight hours without rest.
“You cannot aim to maximise profits and at the same time endanger the lives of drivers and passengers,” Koome said, adding that awareness campaigns targeting drivers are already underway.
The council is also calling on other stakeholders, including emergency responders, to be on high alert, with ambulances placed on standby along major routes.
As holiday travel peaks, authorities are urging motorists and passengers alike to play their part, saying the measures will only work if everyone commits to making the roads safer for all.
