The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced that it had embarked on a crackdown to nab vehicles parking on undesignated spots along highways countrywide.
In a statement released on Tuesday evening, the authority indicated that the crackdown was necessitated to rein in on motorists obstructing other road users by parking in the wrong spots.
They argued that the flagrant disregard of the law compromised the safety of other road users.
"In an effort to enhance road safety, the Authority has established a unit which shall assist in clearing obstructions on the national road network including removing motor vehicles which have a potential of compromising the safety of road users. The Authority will endeavor to install signs where safe parking on the highways is available," KeNHA directed.
"Parking /obstruction by motor vehicles is prohibited under Section 53 of the Traffic Act, Cap. 403 and hence such vehicles shall be subject to prosecution when impounded."
According to the Traffic Act, the offence of obstructing other road users attracts a fine of Ksh50,000 or a one-year jail term for a first-time conviction.
For repeat offenders, the fine is upped to Ksh70,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding eighteen months.
The court is also at liberty to cancel any driving licence or provisional driving licence held by the offender and declaring the offender disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for a period of two years starting from the date of conviction.
The Act, therefore, directs all drivers that in case of a break-down, remove the vehicle from the road as soon as possible or should be left close to the edge of the road. At night, a light must illuminate from the vehicle as an indicator to other road users.
"No vehicle shall be allowed to remain in any position on any road so as to obstruct or to be likely to obstruct or cause inconvenience or danger to other traffic using the road, and, save where the contrary is expressly provided in this Act, every vehicle on a road, when not in motion, shall be drawn up as close to the side of the road as possible," reads the Act.
In mid-April, President William Ruto launched a Nation Road Safety Action Plan aimed at reducing road carnage which has been on the rise.
In 2023 alone, more than 4,500 people lost their lives through road accidents according to Data from the National Transport and Safety Authority.
