President Uhuru Orders Removal of NTSA Officers from Kenyan Roads

President Kenyatta has ordered National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to withdraw its officers from Kenyan roads.

The Head of State also directed traffic police officers to effectively take charge of Kenyan highways, as part of government's continued efforts to curb road carnage.

The president, who was speaking in Meru during the burial of three African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) bishops, who died in a road crash at Wamumu along the Embu-Nairobi highway on December 29th, further called on Kenyans and motorists to exercise caution while using the roads.

“I agree that road accidents have been on the rise and the government will work to ensure we minimise the accidents. We have decided that all NTSA officers withdraw from the roads and leave traffic work to the police. We want to see if we can restore order on the roads,” the President said.

“The government will play its part but Kenyans must also play their part. As a passenger, you have a responsibility to ensure the driver observes the rules. Passengers should not be the ones urging drivers to speed,” he said.

The directive by President Uhuru comes amidst calls by Members of Parliament to either disband or restructure NTSA, which has been blamed for the increased accidents on Kenyan roads.

More than 300 Kenyans lost their lives in road accidents in the month of December alone.