CJ Willy Mutunga asks police to issue summons to minor traffic offenders

Minor traffic offenders should not be forced to pay cash bail or be put in custody, Chief Justice Willy Mutunga said on Thursday.

Dr Mutunga said the offenders should instead be issued with "notices to attend court" (NTAC) or summons.

“Offenders should be issued with summons or NTAC on convenient dates. Any cash bail collected should be availed to court or refunded to the suspect in a timely and expeditious manner,” he said.

He was speaking during the launch of new guidelines at the Makadara courts on how police and the courts should handle traffic offences.

Dr Mutunga said the booklet would help Kenyans with information on matters related to traffic offences.

“Kenyans must resolve to be part of the solution — to obey the laws and reject bribery and be part of the solution,” he said.

He also announced that the Judiciary would set up courts at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Kasarani in Nairobi.

FAST-TRACKING CASES

The booklet, Directions on Traffic Cases, is aimed at fast-tracking traffic cases to decongest police cells and prisons.

Speaking at the same function, Law Society of Kenya Chief Executive Apollo Mboya said most traffic offenders resorted to bribery or pleaded guilty even to offences they did not commit in order to avoid lengthy trials.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jacob Ondari urged the police traffic department to focus on more serious offences instead of harassing minor offenders.

“These complaints should now be a thing of the past,” he said.

Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet urged motorists and other traffic offenders not to give bribes if arrested.

“Those traffic officers who engage in corruption must now know that it is an extremely risky undertaking. We will also ensure that those who do not have to be put in custody are not locked up,” he said.