Traffic management to be reviewed after complaints over curfew distress

Nairobi regional commissioner James Kianda has said that the traffic management would be reviewed and enhanced to facilitate smooth transition into curfew hours.

This came after residents from Thika Road complained after they were caught up in a police operation on major roads on Saturday night.

In a statement, Kianda said that the traffic was occasioned by efforts of police officers to strictly enforce the curfew restrictions.

“…and we acknowledge the inconvenience this may have caused the road users. Going forward, our traffic management will be reviewed and enhanced to facilitate smooth transition into curfew hours,” read the statement.

He said that following their routine review and assessment of the implementation of the Covid-19 containment measures, they have established that compliance with the guidelines within the Nairobi metropolis is below 50 per cent.

“We also note with concern that there are willful violations of these protocols on estates, especially prohibition of large in-person gatherings and compliance with curfew restrictions and other health protocols,” he said.

He reminded Kenyans that each life matters and they must all take part in breaking the chain of transmission of the virus.

“However stringent these rules may appear, they are imperative for our survival. As such, civic responsibility is a more potent weapon in this war than enforcement of the guidelines by the police,” he added.

Kianda urged Kenyans to plan their movements accordingly with a view to beating the curfew.

Inspector General Hilary Mutyambai yesterday said police will enforce the night curfew as laid out in law and will not give in to demands by violators.

“There has been a trend of impunity among some Kenyans, and they will not relent in our efforts to ensure total compliance with Ministry of Health protocols and in particular curfew hours,” he warned.

He also urged the public to cooperate in this exercise, especially in the five counties that were declared infected.

“We must work together to address the pandemic crisis,” he said.

He added that every Kenyan has a responsibility to fight the virus and comply with regulations.

Different routes were closed for hours as security agencies enforced the curfew order.

It took two hours before police finally allowed motorists using the routes to continue their journey past 11pm.

Police mounted roadblocks past 9pm, catching many off-guard and held the motorists at the same position for two hours.

The teams, which included those from General Service Unit, said they were simply implementing the law on the curfew.