- On Tuesday, the CS issued a directive that all PSVs and heavy commercial drivers will undergo retesting.
- The directive, he said, which was to be implemented earlier, had been postponed after an outcry from the sector stakeholders.
Image: FILE
Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the move to have Public Service Vehicles and heavy commercial drivers undergo retest.
While appearing before the Senate, CS Murkomen said that just like all the other professions that undergo retesting, drivers are not inevitable.
The CS said that according to statistics, the cause of most accidents is a result of driver's behaviours.
"When I announced last year that the drivers should be re-tested and that they will not get a driving licence without retest, there was hue and cry and many people said that we were oppressing drivers," he said.
"Everyone goes through retesting, lawyers, and doctors go through training every year. Drivers who are carrying human life should be rested to know those who are competent, we should even test up to their alcohol content and drug abuse possibilities."
CS Murkomen called on Kenyans to support the directive by the government.
On Tuesday, the CS issued a directive that all PSVs and heavy commercial drivers will undergo retesting.
The directive, he said, which was to be implemented earlier, had been postponed after an outcry from the sector stakeholders.
"It will now be implemented without further delay. All stakeholders are expected to comply and cooperate," he said in a statement.
The CS added that the National Transport and Safety Authority will put in place measures for implementing medical testing of all drivers.
This is as required by section 105A(1) and (2) and Rule 30(4) of the Traffic (Driving Schools, Driving Instructors and Driving License) Rules 202.
According to the rules, the move will ensure that only medically fit drivers are licensed to drive.
CS Murkomen further stated that the National Police Service and NTSA will intensify the ongoing nationwide enforcement.
He said police will impound all unroadworthy vehicles and those not integrated with the road safety management system to transmit speed limiter data.
The directives come at a time when Kenyans have witnessed a surge in road accidents.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki raised concerns over the increase in road fatalities in the country.
The CS noted that deaths from road accidents are competing with those of serious epidemics.
"We had COVID-19, a terrible epidemic in two years, and the people who died out of the pandemic were over 4,000. Yet in one year alone 4,324 died out of crashes. This means that this problem is worse than the pandemics," Kindiki stated.