Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-04-09 16:37:12
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen made a significant announcement on Tuesday regarding the issuance of short-term Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licenses. During a press conference, the Cabinet Secretary directed the halting of the issuance of such licenses and also ordered the National Transport & Safety Authority (NTSA) to stop issuing PSV operator routes immediately.
The reason behind this directive is to conduct a comprehensive review of all existing routes issued to PSV operators. The suspension of the issuance of short-term licenses will remain in place until this review is completed. Moving forward, new routes will only be issued after the operator has been vetted by NTSA.
“I have directed NTSA to immediately cease issuance of licenses for PSV operators, review all existing operator routes and only issue licenses upon vetting of the operators,” stated Murkomen.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that human behavior was the main cause of accidents in the country and stressed the need for caution on the road. In addition to halting the issuance of licenses, Murkomen also suspended speed limiter operators responsible for fitting speed governors in PSVs if their performance is below par based on NTSA reviews.
However, the suspended operators are required to ensure the optimal performance of governors already installed in PSVs across the country. Furthermore, Murkomen urged the Judiciary to implement strict measures for drivers found guilty of breaking traffic rules, suggesting that such drivers be charged with murder if they survive accidents.
Moreover, PSV operators whose drivers exceed the stipulated driving time of eight hours will have their licenses revoked. The Cabinet Secretary also ordered that any excess passengers, drivers, and conductors found violating traffic rules will be charged in court.
During his address, Murkomen highlighted an incident in Kericho County where a vehicle involved in an accident had excess passengers and was not registered to operate as a PSV. This further emphasizes the need for stricter enforcement of regulations and the importance of ensuring compliance with safety measures.
In conclusion, the directive issued by the Transport Cabinet Secretary aims to improve road safety by addressing issues such as driver behavior, vehicle compliance, and adherence to regulations by PSV operators. It is clear that the government is taking proactive steps to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all road users.
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