When Mathew Iteere was appointed Commissioner of Police, he moved swiftly and enforced the 'Michuki Rules' that temporarily helped tame road carnage.
Iteere's move came as a relief after a huge public outcry because of the death trap the Kenyan roads had become.
But going by the number of accidents that have occurred within the past week, it seems the old bad habits are back on our roads. Many Kenyans would be forgiven for thinking the move by Commissioner of Police was a mere a public relations exercise.
Road carnage is back and recent statistics show 170 people lost their lives in the last one month. This is an average of about 40 lives lost per week. This is unacceptable and urgent measures must be put in place to reverse the situation. It seems police officers who enforced the rules soon after the police boss announced the crackdown are in deep slumber.
While Former Transport Minister John Michuki was at the helm, the rules were enforced to the letter and rogue matatu drivers were forced to fix seatbelts and speed governors in their vehicles, and drive with due care and consideration for other road users.
And with this, road accident rate and death toll dropped considerably and commuters heaved a sigh of relief that they could be treated in a humane manner and not like expendable cargo.
But today, a day hardly passes without reports of deaths on our roads, leaving many commuters worried, as they have no option but to use these means of transport. Matatus and buses move at thrilling speeds in total disregard of the 80km restricted by Traffic laws.
This madness on our roads happens even on roads with police roadblocks and on those patrolled by police on motorcycles.
Matatu drivers seem confident the police will not arrest them for any traffic offence as they carry passengers beyond the required limit.
Many a times, the police officers do not bother to check if the vehicles are fitted with safety belts but would gleefully smile with the conductor passing a crumbled note for bribe.
The Commissioner of Police must act fast before more deaths occur on our roads.
Source: The Standard | Online Edition
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