Unrealistic Speed Limits in Nairobi City County - Official Statement as reported by MAK

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