A number of passengers travelling along Meru-Nanyuki were yesterday stranded for hours after the National Transport and Safety Authority conducted a crackdown.
The agency conducted the crackdown at Timau area, in Buuri Sub County.
Hundreds of motorists were arrested for speeding, contravening route regulation, possessing illegal psv licences, driving while drunk among other traffic offence.
Among the motorist arrested was officer commanding Isiolo Prison, who was later released on police cash bail. Most of the motorists were freed on Sh10, 000 cash bail, pending to appear in court to take plea.
Two presidential escort vehicles that were enroute to Marsabit County where the president was scheduled to take the voter registration sensitization drive were also held for about 15 minutes before they were cleared to proceed.
An NTSA official who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they had to stop the vehicles since they had no number plates, which is a contravention of traffic regulations.
Nanyuki businessman Karim Rajan accused the agency for not putting speed boards in the highway. Rajan noted that what the NTSA was doing is not bad, but the officials must put signboard to warn motorists of speeding.
He added that they should also fine offenders for petty offences instantly instead of taking them to court.
However NTSA Safety enforcement and accidents investigations deputy director Rtd Col Hared Adan emphasized on the general compliance especially on the “dangerous stretch”.
Adan said their intention as an agency is not to target people and frustrate their businesses but they are focused on educating the motorists on the traffic rules compliance.
He said that motorists should be wary while driving in dangerous stretches like Meru-Nanyuki and Makuyu-Sagana.
