Tuesday, November 28, 2023 –Government has today warned drivers attempting to cross flooded rivers that their licences will be suspended by authorities.
Transport Cabinet Secretary CS Kipchumba Murkomen, on Tuesday November 28, announced the new directive saying that is the only way such recklessness can be stopped in an effort to reduce death as a result of El Nino rains.
He said that police officers will be dispatched across the roads and anyone who will be seen crossing such waters on roads will be punished accordingly.
He added that such drivers will be charged under attempted suicide and also for putting lives of others at high risk.
“I want to put our drivers on notice, even after you have crossed the dangerous river, we will still carry out punishment in terms of cancellation of the licenses and you can also be charged for attempted suicide,” Mr. Murkomen stated.
CS Murkomen stated that this directive had been given a clean bill of health by President William Ruto who has since asked officers to start the assignment immediately.
“A directive has been given to the County Commissioners, Deputy County Commissioners, to our chiefs and assistant chiefs to be on the lookout for all the transport companies,” the CS stated.
Every private and public vehicle driver will be subjected to the new rule that is aimed to bring down the rising cases of those killed by raging floods that continue to wreak havoc across the country due to pounding rains.
“We must be conscious, in every area where we think the river is flooded. We must deploy police officers around that place to make sure people are stopped from crossing flooded rivers,” Murkomen said.
Government has maintained its stand that most of the 120 people who have since lost their lives to floods died while attempting to force their way through the flooded rivers and filled up bridges.
Four days ago, at least seven people died after they were swept away by a flooded river in south-eastern Kenya.
A local chief confirmed that the victims were sitting on a log in the middle of the river as they tried to cross when the flood waters rose and took them away.
The group was returning to their homes in Makueni County after meeting First Lady Rachel Ruto in Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium.
