Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 770546,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/770546/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 21,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "brought sanity and actually reduced incidents of road accidents across the country. But since old habits die hard, the country struggled to turn back to old habits. For instance, it is unfortunate that most travelers assume that using a seat belt will benefit a police officer on a road block. Most public service vehicles lack proper functioning speed governors and even when available, they are often disconnected from the vehicle. The measures, though still in force with improvements, have suffered the setback of partial and lacklustre enforcement. It is important to recognize the efforts and commitment by the Kenya Red Cross and other private emergency service providers in responding to accident victims. The Kenya Red Cross has continually and swiftly responded to scenes of road accidents across the country and offered lifesaving emergency medical care. I am working on a Motion that will seek to ensure Government allocates funds to the Kenya Red Cross to enable them improve even more on their responsiveness and efficiency. I also commend various county governments for the purchase and management of ambulance services. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I believe there is need to ensure that all drivers are properly trained on defensive driving and first aid. Drivers should also check on cases of fatigue and ensure that the vehicles they are driving are road worthy. There is need to also check on night travel. As people plan to travel upcountry and to other holiday destinations for Christmas, drivers should be extra careful especially when driving on unfamiliar roads. Emergency response by the police to accident scenes also needs to improve. Lastly, there is need to check on vehicles carrying abnormal and wide load. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) should urgently identify and publicize black spots across the country. These dangerous spots should be adequately marked and properly manned especially during this time of increased traffic on the road. The NTSA, established by the National Transport and Safety Authority Act 33 of 2012, was expected to promote sanity in road transport for both public and private vehicles. Article 4 of the Act explicitly outlines the functions of the Authority which, unfortunately, has over-concentrated on drunk driving at the expense of other functions. Allegations of corruption are rife in the Authority; it is a case of the same ‘monkeys’ in different forests. As much as road safety is mainly an aspect of personal commitment and the behavior of the individual road user and passenger, the Government has the responsibility and means to enforce and ensure compliance. In all the recent accidents, it is important to note that aspects of dangerous driving, over-speeding and mechanical failure were cited. Road accidents can affect all of us from leaders, as was the case of the late Nyeri County Governor, to anybody from any corner of our country. The recent incidents of road carnage are both alarming and dangerous. I request the Government to conduct speedy investigation of the circumstances that led to the accident at Kamukuywa Bridge on Monday 11th December, 2017, that claimed the lives of 16 people from Vihiga County. Losing one member of a family is very painful; nine is unimaginable. I request the Government, both at the County and national levels, to organize specific intervention – especially financial – to assist the families meet funeral expenses The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}