Mombasa Cracks Down on Traffic Violators as County Revives Road Safety Measures
County executive Committee Member (CECM) Dan Manyala addressing the Media. (Photo By Mbungu Harrison)
By Mbungu Harrison
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Mombasa County has intensified enforcement efforts targeting motorists and other road users flouting traffic rules, particularly at the newly reactivated traffic lights at SabaSaba and Buxton intersections.
Speaking during a media roundtable on road safety, County executive committee member (CECM) Dan Manyala reaffirmed the county’s commitment to ensuring the smooth flow of traffic and preventing accidents noting that increased budgetary allocation for road safety campaigns is already underway.
The County has invested in key infrastructure, including pedestrian walkways, cycling lanes in Nyali, and clear road safety markings near schools and major roads.
The county is developing a road safety policy which when enacted will streamline the sector.
“Road safety is now a permanent budgetary item, we are putting in good budgets to support this and have even drafted a road safety policy currently awaiting enactment by the County Assembly, a major milestone,” he said.
The county official decried the growing trend of traders encroaching on pedestrian paths and zebra crossings, saying such actions compromise pedestrian safety.
“We have started clearing all walkways to ensure no traders block them. These are not market spaces, they are vital safety features.”
The CECM addressed the negligence by service providers who dig up roads for utilities and fail to restore cabro paving, vowing strict enforcement to ensure proper restoration going forward.
Engineer Ali Shariff, the chief officer in the department of transport, announced the ongoing construction of a dedicated cycling lane along links road as part of efforts to accommodate non-motorized transport.
“We are collaborating with development partners including private entities and road agencies to create a safer, more efficient transport network for Mombasa residents,” he said.
With traffic lights being installed after nearly 12 years of disuse, the County is preparing for full enforcement, including the introduction of instant electronic fines for traffic offenses.
“This will ensure offenders are penalised immediately, helping enforce discipline on our roads,” he explained.
The officials are colling for collaboration between the media in highlighting some of the key areas of intervention.
Vipul Patel, coordinator of the Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), stressed the need for public awareness.
“The culture of driving in Kenya needs serious reform. Everyone from authorities to road users – must collaborate to foster a culture of safety,” he said.
Diana Laboso of the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) added that school zones are a top priority when it comes to road safety.
“We are already implementing design interventions in school areas to safeguard children during their daily commutes.”
Meanwhile, Abdulhakim Makarani of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) confirmed that construction of the final section of links road will be completed by December.
The road has been temporarily closed to facilitate construction and will ensure traffic management upon completion.
As Mombasa scales up its efforts to transform urban mobility, authorities are calling for public cooperation in reclaiming the city’s roads for all-drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.
Kevin Ismael, communication coordinator Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS)said media plays a critical role in educating the public on matters of road safety.
“We are planning an enforcement campaign in December,we are patnering with media practitioners to send the message to the. public,so that we can prevent rather than deal with crashes,” said Ismael
