More than 1, 000 people have lost their lives through road accidents since January.
National Transport Safety Authority director general George Njao decried the cases, saying the statistics were on an upward trend.
“We have lost so many people in our country on matters that we can be able to resolve. Part of what we are trying to do here is also to sensitise road users including motorists on road safety measures,” Njao said.
He addressed the press during a multiagency vehicles crackdown along Nairobi – Mombasa highway in Athi River, Machakos county, on Wednesday.
Njao said speeding was the major cause of road carnage as well as overlapping, drunk driving, recklessness and unroadworthy vehicles.
The crackdown jointly conducted by NTSA and National Police Service saw several vehicles impounded and their drivers arrested.
Lower Eastern NTSA regional manager Roseline Oloo and Athi River South subcounty police commander Jos Mudavadi led the operation that started at 8am and ended late afternoon.
“I have come to join my colleagues here in Machakos county together with my regional manager to help support the ongoing crackdown. This isn’t a one-off exercise,” Njao said.
NTSA started the nationwide crackdown last month.
He said the continuous joint engagement was meant to support the National Police Service by providing technical support to ensure safe roads.
“Earlier today, we had engagement with deputy inspector general to discuss the same matters since it’s continuous. We are effective nationwide,” Njao said.
“We are here to offer support to reduce carnage on our roads across the country and also to ensure smooth travel of our citizens as they go for their Easter holidays.”
Mudavadi said 1, 000 motor vehicles had been impounded by press time during the operations that was ongoing.
“We want to sanitise our roads and it’s high time we valued life. Very soon, we are going to see changes on our roads,” he said.
“The carnage on our roads must reduce. It’s not an issue of option, our roads must be sanitised,” the police boss added.
The crackdown involved inspection of adherence to traffic laws including roadworthiness, dangerous driving, drunk driving, documentation, driving licenses and insurance cover.
“Those arrested will be arraigned on Thursday,” Mudavadi said.
Many motorists kept off the highway for the better part of the day during the operation.
The usually busy highway had only a few matatus as multiagency operations conducted the crackdown.
The multiagency team erected a roadblock at Daystar area in Athi River, Machakos county.
Some of the impounded vehicles had their number plates removed for failing to comply with various regulations during the operations.
Some motorists evaded the team’s dragnet with majority using alternative routes.
Others packed by the roadside as the crackdown intensified.
