A petition has been filed at the Milimani Law courts seeking have the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) return on the roads.
The Road Safety Association of Kenya, through its chairman David Kiarie, argues that there is a worrying rise in road accidents and it will only get worse during this festive season if NTSA is not be allowed back on the roads.
Kiarie observed that the recent accident in Kivwe Village in Embu where 15 members died could have been avoided if NTSA was on the roads conducting patrols.
He also cited the Mwingi bus tragedy on December 4 case where 30 people drowned after the bus was swept off a bridge.
“That had NTSA been on the road, the said accident could have been avoided as there would have been compliance with the set road safety measures, The removal of NTSA from the roads and limiting their functions and duties under the NTSA Act, the state has breached the right to life of the 15 victims of Embu county,” reads court papers.
The Association also noted that before the removal of NTSA from Kenyan roads accidents were on the decline.
“But prior to NTSA’s removal from the road by President Uhuru Kenyatta, deaths on the roads were on the decline, but they have now increased exponentially,” Kiarie said through Lawyer Jacob Okoth.
He noted that 4000 people have perished in road accidents since January this year.
The Association also wants the National Transport Safety Authority directed to raid and impound vehicles with the help of the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai.
It is also seeking an order directing the IG to allocate sufficient traffic police officers to NTSA for purposes of conducting their functions jointly.
