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{
    "id": 320456,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/320456/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 422,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Prof. Muigai",
    "speaker_title": "The Attorney-General",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 408,
        "legal_name": "Githu Muigai",
        "slug": "githu-muigai"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to second this Bill. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Bill seeks to bring the Kenyan law in line with international best practices in the management of traffic. The area of traffic law in this country represents a very critical part of our criminal justice system. As most hon. Members are aware, our courts spend a lot of time everyday hearing traffic cases. This method we have in place is now archaic; it is not used in those parts of the world where the matter has received considerable progression over the last couple of years. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, when you look at what is happening on our roads, you will realize that this is symptomatic of the general lack of respect for the rule of law that we intend to address. In particular, when you look at the conduct of those who we have been placed in charge of public transport vehicles, there is an indiscipline that cannot be permitted to continue. This indiscipline erodes and undermines our bigger commitment to the reform of the justice sector to bring everyone under the rule of law. I must commend the Minister for bringing this Bill because it is a very important addition to that. Two things are sought to be achieved by this Bill. First, is to empower law enforcement. We need to empower our traffic officers with the right tools to do the job that we expect from them. At the same time, we need to protect the citizens of this country from processes and procedures that infringe on their rights as citizens and as motorists. For example, you are aware that not so long ago, we have had terrible incidences of men and women, sometimes children on their way to school, greatly inconvenienced by vehicles being towed to police stations in a most inhumane and degrading manner. We want to put this behind us. We want to make the process simple, straightforward and we want citizens not to have to negotiate with law enforcement but to be able to pay a fine where they have committed an offence without their being inconvenienced. With those few words, I beg to second."
}