Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen wants licenses of drivers who try to cross flooded rivers during the rainy season cancelled.
The CS, says such drivers will also face legal penalties for attempted suicide and endangering the lives of passengers.
“We have seen buses and matatus attempting to cross dangerous waters, 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,” Murkomen said.
According to Murkomen, National Government Administrative Officers, have been told to look out for drivers who are not following this instruction.
He disclosed that of the 120 individuals who have perished due to floods, more than half could have been prevented if cars had not taken needless chances to cross flooded waterways.
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“There is no hurry, you better be late for a week even a month, but we save lives. 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.
In a statement on Tuesday, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo stated that over 14 counties have so far been affected by the floods.
“Currently, four counties including Tana River, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera have been identified as the worst hit while 120 people have unfortunately lost their lives,” stated Omollo.
“Ten counties including Isiolo, Samburu, Kwale, Homabay, Makueni, Tharaka Nithi, Lamu, Taita Taveta, Meru and Kisumu are on high alert.”
