{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=137762","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=137760","results":[{"id":1394021,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1394021/?format=json","text_counter":176,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"November"},{"id":1394022,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1394022/?format=json","text_counter":177,"type":"heading","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"2"},{"id":1394023,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1394023/?format=json","text_counter":178,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"December"},{"id":1394024,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1394024/?format=json","text_counter":179,"type":"heading","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"3 2 1"},{"id":1394025,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1394025/?format=json","text_counter":180,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Total 7 9 9 3 4 1 Defective 2 2 3 1 1"},{"id":1394026,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1394026/?format=json","text_counter":181,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"For the period of 2019 to 2024, the total number of defective tractors were nine. The Ministry, through its implementing agency- National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA), conducts Road Safety Sensitization forum quarterly with cane processing factories operating within the Kisumu County and its environment. These factories include- (1) Kibos Sugar and Allied Company Limited in Kisali. (2) West Kenya Sugar Company Limited - Kabras. (3) Chemelil Sugar Company Limited. (4) Muhoroni Sugar Company Limited. (5) Butali Sugar Mills Limited. Following a meeting of the Kisumu County Transport and Safety Committee held on 5th July, 2023, it was noted that most accidents involving cane trucks were due to the following reasons. (1) Poor visibility of cane truck drivers on the road as most trucks lack chevron and proper lighting equipment."},{"id":1394027,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1394027/?format=json","text_counter":182,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."},{"id":1394028,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1394028/?format=json","text_counter":183,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"(2) Failure to observe operating hours. No sugar cane trucks shall be allowed on the road before 6 a.m. and after 6 p.m. (3) Most drivers freewheel, especially when approaching a flyover to gain momentum to move uphill, resulting in accidents. For example, the Kasagam Flyover where several sugar cane trucks have rolled over due to freewheeling. These facilities have been designed to be navigated at a certain speed. For example, the maximum speed of the Kasagam Flyover is 40km/h. Thus, a driver going at any speed above the limit is at risk of causing accidents. (4) There is need for drivers to undergo road safety training and defensive driving skills. (5) Frequent breakdowns and delays in attending to stalled trucks on highways. In order to address the issue raised above safety matters, the Ministry has scheduled sensitisation activities on sugar transporters and farmers beginning this month on- (1) Proper and secure cane loading on tractor trailers to minimise obstruction, ensure visibility and prevent spillage of on carriageways. (2) Setting and enforcing operating hours for cane collection points from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additionally, the NTSA conducts free inspection clinics for farm tractors to cane collection points. This is done to ensure tractors are properly mounted retroreflective chevrons. Furthermore, NTSA conducts joint operation with traffic police to ensure compliance. Mr. Speaker, Sir, KeNHA has designated the roads in sugar cane growing areas under Performance Based Contracts and Routine Maintenance Contracts, whose specifications include, but are not limited to the following. (1) Clearing any debris on the carriageway. (2) Drop offs from sugar cane trucks. (3) Sealing of emerging potholes on the carriageway. (4) De-silting road drainage systems on the obstruction. (5) Road marking to enhance road safety. (6) Axle load control to kerb overloading. (7) Pavement strengthening on a need-be basis to accommodate sugarcane traffic loading. Roads in western Kenya region include: Kakamega-Kiboswa, Kakamega- Webuye, Webuye-Kitale, Ekero-Mayoni-Bwekas and Ebuyangu-Ekero. Roads in Nyanza region include: Awasi-Nandi Hills, Muhoroni-Fort Tenan, Awasi-Katito, Awendo-Mariwa-Kilgoris, Rongo-Homa Bay, Ranen Chamgiwadu- Kenyenya, Rodi Kopany-Ndhiwa, Katito-Kendu Bay, Kendu Bay-Homa Bay and Mamboleo-Kiboswa. Additionally, the Ministry through KeNHA has conducted stakeholder’s engagement with sugarcane transporters and interested stakeholders and sensitised them on:"},{"id":1394029,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1394029/?format=json","text_counter":184,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."},{"id":1394030,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1394030/?format=json","text_counter":185,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"(1) Adherence to acceptable rear, top and side of vehicle distance limits when carrying sugarcane as per the Traffic Act guidelines. This is aimed at minimising accidents caused by reduced visibility to other motorists due to improper packaging of sugarcane. (2) Effects of overloading on the carriageway. (3) Procedure of obtaining permits from NTSA under special case of cane transportation. (4) Need for proper packaging for sugarcane on trucks to minimise drop-offs and littering on the carriageway to minimise maintenance costs. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this statement is coming at a time when we have unfortunately lost a number of people yesterday and the day before on road accidents, including students of Kenyatta University. This also includes the accident that happened in Olenguruone-Silibwet road and the other one that happened in Muhoroni. Road accidents are becoming a threat to our national health system. In fact, we were speaking with Hon. Nakhumicha, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, about the impact of such accidents on our health facilities. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me use this moment because I have this opportunity through this House to condole with the families that were affected. I want to assure the public that the directive that President Uhuru Kenyatta vacated in 2018, that made it impossible for us in the transport sector and the NTSA particularly to be on the road to do enforcement is now revisited. Together with Hon. (Prof.) Kithure Kindiki in Interior and National Administration, we will bring back the collaborative effort that required some of the traffic police officers to be seconded to NTSA for proper enforcement. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we were left to what you saw me reading here, on sensitisation and setting the standards. However, even though the Act permits enforcement on the ground, Government decision was made to leave that enforcement only to the traffic police. I believe the new direction will help us to deal with this menace. Finally, I want to emphasise that even this tractor menace, including driving on the roads, the statistics show that most of the accidents are as a result of driver’s behaviour. Mr. Speaker, Sir, last year, when I announced that the drivers will be retested and that you will not get a driving license unless you are tested, there was hue and cry and many people said that we were oppressing drivers. However, everybody goes through retesting. Every year, lawyers and doctors go through training. Drivers who are carrying human life should be retested so that we know those who are competent. We should also test their alcohol content and drug abuse possibilities. These are things that we should support as people of Kenya. The last thing is that, as individuals and citizens, citizen responsibility is extremely important. The matatu that got an accident on the Olenguruone-Silibwet Road had 24 people, which is 10 people extra. It was also carrying four bags of maize. By the time the 15, 16, 17 or the 18 person was boarding that matatu, they knew that it was overloaded."}]}