A court has declined to issue orders stopping the enforcement of the new traffic rules in a case filed by Makadara MP Mike Sonko and his Embakasi counterpart Ferdinard Waititu last week. The court has scheduled a hearing for December 6.
A strike by matatu operators against the traffic rules that began last week has left several commuters on various routes stranded as some matatu.
Police had been deployed to areas where hooligans are harassing passengers, motorists and matatu operators who are working. Touts are allegedly blocking some roads and forcefully removing passengers from matatus as they protest the new traffic laws
According to earlier reports by the Kenya Red Cross, protesters on some routes had turned rowdy with a gang from Kawangware forcefully removing passengers from public service vehicles enroute from Lavington and Kilimani. Protesters had also reportedly blocked the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
The new traffic rules that came into effect on December 1 carry stiffer penalties for violators. Under the new laws, all police officers - not just traffic police - can deal with traffic cases.
PSV and commercial drivers will be required to undergo physical fitness, eye and hearing tests every three years before their driving licenses are renewed.
Drivers who endanger the lives of passengers will be jailed for two years or fined Sh30,000. Drunk drivers will face a jail term of two years or a fine of Sh100,000. Drivers caught overlapping may be jailed for three months or fined Sh30,000.
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