Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Davis Chirchir was on Wednesday put to task to explain why the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) uses private vehicles to conduct highway patrols.
Responding to questions posed by Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu, Chirchir said the patrols are part of road maintenance efforts. "KeNHA utilises privately owned vehicles as it outsources road maintenance works through Performance-Based Contracts.
Under these contracts, particularly on critical roads such as Thika Road and the Nairobi Southern Bypass, the scope includes regular road patrols to monitor compliance with traffic regulations, rapid response to incidents and breakdowns, protection of road infrastructure, including streetlights and guardrails, and immediate assistance to motorists in distress," Chirchir explained to the Senate.
He added that the patrol vehicles are owned by contractors engaged under the performance-based contracts and are responsible for specific road maintenance duties.
