As Motorist Association of Kenya, we have a strong feeling that some transport
government agencies are going overboard or getting overzealous in the pretext
of road safety. The said agents are yet to improve roads designs hence we can’t
understand why they can’t use their energy on mending their house first before
wasting it on a ploy to manage decent self regulating Kenyans. NTSA and Speed
limit unit should show respect to vehicle owners.
The road design is defective than our cars. For example
mounting speed limit signs should precede any arrest of motorists. This is the
practice world over. Or how do the arresting officers expect motorists to comply
with prescribed speeds on different zones? We demand the harassment is stopped
immediately. We also express grave concern on the high cash bail demanded by
the roadside. Ksh10,000 on the spot is too much unless the officers aim is to
humiliate hard working taxpaying drivers. The prohibitive amount is unfair
since many motorists can’t have such disposable cash at hand. The lopsided
rules only encourage extortion. After Matatu Saccos became hard on bribe giving
& taking the new trend seem to be harassing private motorists as an
alternative.
We are opposed to hasty traffic amendments; some of them lack any basis and have not followed due process. Laws of natural justice demand consultation as key to any drastic policy change.
It is for this reason that some of the recommendations proposed are unpopular and give Jubilee government bad repute among car owners. While road safety should be a priority this does not give anybody reason to infringe on private motoring freedom so as to enrich a few companies whom the recommendations seem to favour.
It is a known fact that private motorists who are now under
siege are the safest road users contributing only 3% or less of the accidents
on our roads countrywide. Private motorists are known to service their vehicles
regularly as compared to other categories.
It is the firm belief
of the association that the government through the Ministry of Roads and
Infrastructure owes motorists an explanation about heightened unwarranted
operations where high fines are meted.
While the road worthiness of a vehicle is not in question,
the government should also ensure that every road infrastructure such as street
lights and important road furniture are functional. Bad roads are also not
helping in the campaign to road safety either, as this continues to increase
the un-road worthiness of a vehicle and immense repair costs to owners. This
case applies everywhere in the country where bad potholed-filled roads are
extensive.
To be precise and rational 50Kph limit is excessive within a
CBD street and residential estates. We recommend a lower speed limit while in
the same breath prefer higher limits outside CBD dual roads where pedestrians
are restricted. The rule of 50Kph in
Nairobi and environs boundaries is therefore impractical. Thika Expressway,
sections of Mombasa Road and Waiyaki Way are good examples.
There is no
problem with police checks when aim is to make roads safer especially in most
hot spots which include Kinungi along Naivasha – Nakuru Highway, Salgaa, Gilgil
and Ntulele in Narok Township and sections of Mombasa – Nairobi highway.
Annual Inspection for
private cars more than 4 years old wanting.
The proposed new rule
to subject private cars to mandatory annual inspections by Kenya Bureau of Standards
and NTSA is ill-advised, most excessive and unwarranted for a number of
reasons. It seems as if the move aims to enrich a few individuals in the disguise
of road safety at the expense of vehicle owners.
If indeed road safety was a priority to KEBS it should start
by putting its house in order right from the port. The body has failed terribly
in the attempt to inspect vehicles before they enter the country. While
millions of shillings are lost in this inspection process, vehicles which have high
mileage enter the country with reported break downs on their first journeys
from Mombasa.
Imposing higher punitive duties on vehicles with a lesser
number of years on the road is a fuelling factor of introducing unroadworthy overused
aged cars on our roads. For example a 1500cc 4 year old vehicle is charged Duty
of Ksh450 000 while a 7 year old one is charged Ksh250,000 thus encouraging
older vehicles at the expense of road safety. We prefer the latter be charged
for 4 year old and a basis for mileage be introduced as opposed to eight year
rule.
On the Annual inspections for small cars we demand the
decree to be stopped. Reason:-
·
Private motorists are least involved in
accidents related to mechanical failures of their cars.
·
Private car owners are mostly reputed professionals
with a great sense of discipline, good managerial skills and show good road
manners thus they don’t need somebody to remind them to service their vehicles
in good time. Unlike commercial vehicles which ferry the
general public and cargo for business, private personal or family cars carry
private citizens who are constitutionally entitled to enjoy privacy.
Thank you
Peter Murima
MAK Chairman
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