Posted Sunday Nation, March 27 2011 at 13:15
TLB seeks fresh road tests for all Kenyan drivers
The board has also called for the overhaul of the training curriculum and the criteria used
in testing drivers in the country. The overhaul, according to the board, is meant to
address escalating road carnage in the country.
The board says the fresh measures are from the realization that 50 per cent of Kenyan
drivers are unqualified.
TLB Chairman Mr Hassan ole Kamwaro said the measures will reduce the rate of road
carnage in the country, one of the highest in the world.
Mr Kamwaro said the process of acquiring a driving license in Kenya had been
compromised leading to inefficient and unqualified drivers on the roads.
He made the remarks at Malindi County Hall on Saturday during the board’s second day in sensitizing drivers and issuing TLB
certificates in the Coastal region. The board will be in the region for one week.
He said a recent crackdown on unqualified drivers recently revealed that a lot of fake documents are on the roads.
“There are far too many fake road licenses, driving licenses, TLB certificates, insurance certificates and even good conduct
certificates. Majority of our drivers are terrible,” he said.
At the same time, Mr Kamwaro castigated tour van companies saying they were leading in flouting TLB rules.
“Who cheated tour van owners and drivers that they are exempted from TLB and road rules? No vehicle is exempted,” he said.
He said many tour vans were not fitted with speed governors and did not have safety belts among other wrongs.
“We will soon hold a crisis meeting with officers of the ministry of tourism, Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) and other
stakeholders to educate them on the TLB rules,” he said.