Several PSV and transit vehicles were impounded on Friday by traffic police at the Voi junction on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.
The crackdown led by area OCPD Joseph Chesire and Taita Taveta traffic commander Michael Mureithi targeted motorists flouting traffic rules.
Chesire said vehicles operating without valid service licenses and insurance covers shall be impounded.
“Vehicles in poor condition have been brought back on road because of the festive rush but we shall deal with them,” he said.
The police boss said they were acting on a presidential directive to arrest all road users violating traffic rules.
In his address to the nation on Jamhuri Day, President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the police to take stern action against motorists flounting traffic rules especially this festive season.
His directive came in the wake of increased road accidents across the country. In the month of December alone, 150 people have died.
A traffic officer stops a vehicle for inspection at the Caltex junction in Voi on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway, December 15, 2017. /SOLOMON MUINGI
Chesire said the operation will continue until the end of the December festive season.
“We will mount a major crackdown on all these PSV operators who operated without licenses too as they were the reason to the increased road accidents.
"Those arrested will be prosecuted and their vehicles will not be allowed back on the road until they meet the requirement,” Chesire said.
Traffic offences against those arrested include driving without valid licenses, careless driving, speeding, overlapping, and driving vehicles with minor defects.
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