CCNSET on Traffic Management

26th October 2010




The Traffic Commandant,

Traffic Headquaters,

Kenya Police,

Nairobi Kenya.



Dear Sir,

Traffic Management in Kenya



On the 22nd October 2010, we organized The Great Nairobi Walk against Corruption. The walk was flagged off at Integrity Centre by Prof PLO Lumumba, the Director and CEO at the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission.



During the speeches at the KICC Court Yard, we made a clear resolve that time has come for Kenyans to enjoin in the war against corruption and in demand for service delivery from all Government Officers. This has been well captured by the introduction of the Rapid Results Management by His Excellency the President and the Rt Hon Prime Minister.



They have in their wisdom appointed state officers to help them run the affairs of state using the delegated powers we have given to them through our votes. Through that delegated power from the public, you have been appointed the Traffic Commandant and the buck stops with you in that docket.



Traffic Management in Nairobi, and indeed all across Kenya has been a messy affair and we are now writing this letter to demand answers from you. You will remember that in 2004, the Hon John Michuki, then the Minister for Transport, in one fell swoop, brought sanity to the matatu industry and all Kenyans supported his move by even walking to work.



Law and order was all of a sudden brought to the matatu industry and Kenyans sighed with relief.



Fast track the scene to now, 2010. The mataus are a law unto themselves in our roads. The Traffic Police seems not to even know the Traffic Rules. And impunity has set in to a worrying extent. Yet, HE the President and the Rt Hon PM, have in their wisdom used their delegated powers from the public to appoint you to run the Traffic Department!



If you do not know what is happening in your department, I will, on behalf of Kenyans shortlist for your attention some of the mess in your department;

1. The mataus are driven so carelessly in our roads. They float all known traffic rules and they behave as if they are a law unto themselves.

2. The matatus overlap and drive on the pavement at the slightest opportunity. This adds up to the tear and wear we see on all our roads, yet, it is the public that bears the pinch of taxation to have road roads in Kenya.

3. The matatus bang other cars and speed off. It is like we have no laws governing such acts of traffic offenses. And if you report such incidents to the Traffic Police, they do not act.

4. The matatu drivers hoot unnecessarily as their conductors bang their vehicles and shout for commuters. It does not make sense to them that we all know where we are going.

5. The matatus have big screens on their vehicles and they play deafening music all the times.

6. The matatus never stop inside the designated Bus Stops. They will always stop on the road, or, across the road as they block the flow of traffic.

7. The matatu crew have refused to wear uniforms as directed

8. The matatu drivers have the confidence that they are never held to account at personal levels whenever they cause an accident. They will dump that vehicle and jump into the next.

9. We all know that the PSVs have been banned from the CBD, yet, we all know that there are the untouchables that drive all the way into town and the Traffic Police look the other way.

10. We all know that most Traffic Police Officers wake up so early to only go and greet the matatu crews, not to enforce law and order on our roads.

These are only some of the complaints we have received from the public, which if you never knew of, are with you now.



To cap it all, you are failing the Police Force in Kenya. You have been entrusted by HE the President, the Rt Hon PM and the Commissioner of Police to man the Traffic Department, and all we can see is absence of law enforcement. On behalf of the people of Kenya, who are the ultimate appointing authority every 5 years, I want to bring to your attention that if you are unable to perform your duties as by law required, please vacate office so that a suitable officer who is equal to the task is appointed to enforce law and order in the Traffic Department.



Time has come for us to regain the rule of law and order in our roads all across Kenya. The people have spoken and we are watching you.



Peace and blessings,







Odhiambo T Oketch,

CEO KCDN Nairobi,

Tel; 0724 365 557, 0735 529 126,

Email: komarockswatch@yahoo.com

http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com



Odhiambo T Oketch is the current Chairman to the City Council of Nairobi Stakeholders Evaluation Team on Performance Contracting and Rapid Results Management. He was the Co-chair and Event Coordinator for The Great Nairobi Walk against Corruption that was hosted on the 22nd October 2010 in Nairobi.



CC;

1. HE the President of Kenya- Hon Mwai Kibaki

2. The Rt Hon Prime Minister of Kenya- Hon Raila A Odinga

3. The Minister for Transport- Hon Amos Kimunya

4. The Director KACC- Prof PLO Lumumba

5. The Commissioner of Police- Mr. Mathew Iteere

6. The PC Nairobi- Mr. Njoroge Ndirangu

7. The Chief Justice- Hon Evan Gicheru

8. The Town Clerk City Council of Nairobi- Mr. Phillip Kisia