Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen/HANDOUT
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has wished Kenyans a happy festive season but urged for moderation and adherence to the rule of law during the happy moments.
In his season's greetings to Kenyans, Murkomen pointed out that there was a lot to be thankful for as 2024 draws to a close, adding that there was a lot to be grateful for to God as a country.
"We are blessed with the gift of peace, bountiful harvests, and resilience in the face of challenges," the CS said on his X feed.
"Now, as we enjoy the festivities, we have a duty to be mindful of others and avoid breaking the law. Celebrate in moderation and observe traffic rules even as the government does its part to ensure security and safety. Merry Christmas and happy new year," he added.
The country is experiencing heightened activities as the festive season gains momentum, with most families travelling upcountry in droves to mark Christmas and New Year with their loved ones.
Most roads, particularly the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, have been experiencing heavy traffic snarl-ups for days, with motorists staying stuck at one spot for hours.
The situation has partly been blamed on road accidents, but motorists have also taken blame for poor lane discipline as some opted to overlap, worsening the situation.
So bad was the situation that extra police officers and a chopper were deployed to help unlock the grid as long stretches of traffic particularly around Kijabe and Kimende, kept Kenyans on the road overnight.
Videos posted on X showed a section of travellers, seemingly tired of sitting in stationery vehicles, opting to play football by the roadside to kill boredom.
Seperate footage also showed some motorists taking on police roles and dealing with motorists who were overlapping.
"Rudi kwa barabara ama tutoe hii mguu pressure. Tulia, wacha ku-overlap (return vehicle on the road or we will deflate your tyres. Be patient, stop overlapping," an agitated mob is heard warning a motorist in one of the clips.
