The Inspector General National of the Police Service Japhet Koome has issued a traffic advisory aimed at ensuring the safety of school-going students amid ongoing flooding.
In a statement on Saturday, April 27, 2024, Koome cautioned of heavy traffic next week as millions of students return to school for the second term.
Acknowledging the potential challenges posed by the adverse weather conditions, Koome emphasized the need for heightened caution.
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"Primary and secondary schools are due for re-opening next week during the rainy season. The ongoing heavy rains and floods being experienced in the Country have not only claimed lives but also rendered some roads and rivers impassable. Similarly, it is expected that road traffic, both human and vehicular, will be very heavy next week," Koome said.
The police IG further called for motorists' cooperation with law enforcement officers to facilitate smooth traffic flow.
"While Police and NTSA Officers have been deployed along the major highways, we call upon all motorists to cooperate with the law enforcement Officers to improve our service delivery.
In addition to urging cooperation, Koome stressed the importance of adherence to traffic regulations and rules, particularly for the safety of children returning to school.
"In the best interest of children that will be travelling back to school, and for the safety of the general public, the National Police Service would like to caution all motorists and boda boda riders to be extra vigilant on the roads, and strictly comply with traffic regulations and rules," Koome said.
With the combined efforts of law enforcement agencies and motorists' adherence to safety measures, Koome hopes to mitigate potential risks and ensure a safe and orderly transition as schools resume operations.
Floods, school reopen
Schools will reopen for the second term next week despite the ongoing heavy rains and flooding across the country.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang on Thursday, April 25, 2024, said the government has put in place a multi-agency team to deal with the effects of the heavy rains.
"I know this year we have been blessed with quite some rain and I know yesterday the President directed a multi-agency team to be able to deal with the challenges that have come with the rains," Kipsang said during the inaugural Annual Symposium on Competency-Based Assessment in Nairobi.
Schools are set to reopen for second term from April 29.
