Next time a police officer stops you for not having a fire extinguisher or first aid box in your car just pull out your phone and show them the tweets by the Kenya Police. Okay, don’t really do that they might just get angry and arrest you for other petty crimes like they usually do.
However, of importance to note is that the National Police Service has finally cleared the air on essential gadgets that public and private vehicles should have on the road in the ongoing crackdown and enforcement of Michuki rules.
CHAPTER 403
TRAFFIC ACT
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND FIRST AID OUTFITS.
PART V – SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO MOTOR OMNIBUSES AND MATATUS.~@Ma3Route pic.twitter.com/hzJT9l8o8h
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) November 14, 2018
According to the National police service, fire extinguishers, jump starters, first aid kits and tow ropes are not essential gadgets for private cars.
According to police, the rule on fire extinguishers and first aid kits applies to motor omnibuses popularly know as matatus. Additionally, the rule on driving vehicles with tinted windows in also only applicable to matatus.
“A person shall not drive or operate a public service vehicle that is fitted with tinted windows or a tinted windscreen.”
For the purposes of this rule, ‘tinted’ means shaded, coloured or treated in a similar manner so that the persons or objects inside are not ordinarily seen clearly from outside.”
The clarification is in response to an uproar by private motorists who complained of police harassment in the ongoing crackdown for lack of the gadgets.
The law states that only motor omnibuses or matatus require these as mandatory items. We however advise all to make their safety a priority and to report any harassment immediately. pic.twitter.com/QxsXvEpy8Y
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) November 14, 2018
In a statement, the police said that any demand for such by its officers is wrong and that private car owners can only carry such gadgets on their own choice.
“It is wrong for any police officer to ask a private vehicle owner for a fire extinguisher, first aid kits and towing rope,” the police statement on Wednesday read in part.
As for seatbelts, the law indicates that no vehicle shall be used or driven on a road unless it is fitted with seat belts. Any person who does not wear a seat belt as required shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of Ksh. 500.
However, illegal modifications that include mounting of bull bars on unauthorized vehicles, use of high powered led lights, brake lights modification, loud music & modified exhaust systems have been regarded as unlawful.
With the clarification given by the Kenya police, it is quite baffling that the officers put in place to facilitate the crackdown are not aware of these rules and where they are applicable. Have you been a victim of false allegations by the traffic police?