The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) director general Francis Meja has urged motorists to be careful while using the roads during this El Nino rainy season.
Speaking to the media on Sunday at Thika town, the NTSA director general observed that several cases of accidents caused as a result of the heavy downpour being experienced in some parts of the country have been reported.
The NTSA director cautioned motorists against driving during heavy storms and to also avoid using roads that flood.
“We are appealing to motorists and all road users across the country to remain alert when using the roads as the country continue to experience heavy rainfall,” he said.
The director stated that the authority is working with other agencies to ensure that there is safety on all roads. He said that traffic marshals have been deployed across all major roads to help ease flow of traffic during the rainy period.
On the same note, Meja urged motorists to adhere to traffic rules this festive season. He warned motorists who flout traffic regulations saying that they will no longer be tolerated.
“The NTSA has put in place appropriate mechanisms to ensure that road carnage are reduced during this festive season,” he said.
He also warned that licenses of rogue motorists will be revoked if they fail to adhere to the traffic regulations.
The NTSA director general warning to motorists comes as 13 people died after the matatu they were travelling in plugged into a river in Gatundu North on Saturday night.
The 14 seater matatu with 17 passengers plugged into river Nyakibai along the Mataara-Murang’a road in Gatundu North killing 10 people on the spot while three others died as they received treatment at the Thika Level Five Hospital.
The matatu was heading to Murang’a town from Kandara when the accident occurred.
Bodies of the victims have been moved to Kago Funeral Home while four people who sustained serious injuries are receiving treatment at Thika Level Five Hospital.