Category Archives: Kenya motoring

Mis-used Police

In the month of March, the police collected 29.3 million from traffic enforcement, with 15.4 million coming from Nairobi drivers. While most of the 17,966 violators in Nairobi were matatu’s (or PSV), the police also booked 328 drivers for speeding, 1,095 for double parking, and 281 for reflective material (tinted windows).

Meanwhile, the LSK points out that there is no Kenyan law banning tinted windows (only reflective as seen on some minister’s cars) and Nation TV also points out that most new cars these days are built with dark windows. Within government, there are conflicting views on tinted windows (the Transport PS and Govt. spokesman have denied the law exists – and in true government style, have formed a committee to look into the matter) and it appears that the Police have no idea why they have been asked to enforce this law. In Kenya you can be car-jacked in a convertible, and probably drive past a police roadblock, so the idea that it’s stop criminals does not hold water.

Also on Wednesday night while watching the Arsenal Chelsea game, we had an audience of at least ten policemen who arrived in two police patrol trucks to settle a midnight verbal dispute (not a fight) at a Nairobi West bar – surely there’s enough crime elsewhere in the city to occupy their time better.

Rant

The Dettol Heart Run is being held today and caused some traffic jams around Nairobi West. The traffic was not as bad as the Stanchart Nairobi marathon late last year, but still many cars drove through the shopping area to get away from the long queue on Langata Road.

I was walking on the dusty sidewalk passing frustrated drivers, when a horn blew behind me and I jumped out of the way just as a huge 4 X 4, drove past on the sidewalk, blowing dust, with the driver yakking on his phone.

I recognized the car, a Nissan Patrol GK A257E, and the driver, a short balding, bespectacled, Church man I believe, who’s one of the constitution commissioners who fought Yash Pal Ghai at the conference last year.

His driving habits were bad enough, driving on the wrong side of the road, up the sidewalk, using a cell phone are typical matatu driver habits – but he was driving one of the huge GK trucks that were controversially issued to Constitution Commissioners (and yet the Bomas constitutional conference ended almost a year ago)

Commissioners are not doing any work and yet they still have these gas-guzzling monster trucks fueled and insured by taxpayers to use for a personal Saturday morning drive. I don’t think this driver has to work about filling out a vehicle work sheet that all government drivers must fill out to record each journey – if he does, he’ll probably use it to claim a mileage allowance.

How long will this go on? According to the Constitution Act, commissioners will get paid (and drive Nissan monster trucks) until a new constitution is enacted.

Matatu (PSV sector) financing

While NIC Bank is well known for its MOVE banking concept, its asset finance scheme has also been very popular for the Kenyan’s eager to enter the matatu business.

The Michuki rules have made it easier for new entrants to break into what used to be a murky sector – and NIC has been the financier of choice. The Bank has allocated the PSV sector 35% of its asset finance portfolio. According to the Bank’s head of asset finance, Edna Kihara, the minimum loan amount is 300,000 and with loans processed within 48 hours, this has proved to be very popular.

Other terms are that: (1) only new matatu’s financed – no used or ex-Japan vehicles (2) owner deposits 40% (3) 1-3 year loan (4) insure vehicle comprehensively (5) joint registration with NIC (6) commitment fee of 2%.

Speed Trap in Naivasha

Anyone driving to Nakuru should be aware that there is a speed trap. It’s situated just before Naivasha as you descend on the last section of good road (many people cruise at above 140 Kmh) You have to pay a bond of Kshs 3,000 (not a bribe) to enable you to continue with your journey, otherwise your car will be impounded and you will go to jail till your case is heard. The operation is manned by a special police unit (not Naivasha cops) and if you live in the US or Canada, check out speedtrap.org for speed traps in your area.

Traffic Chaos?

While we salute the historic Sudan peace agreement to be signed on Sunday, Nairobians can expect to be blocked by at least 20 different motorcades as leaders dash around town led by Colin Powell. Going by past events, one can expect highways to be shut for at least ten minutes per passing president by traffic and security police.