Clarification on the Use of Private Vehicles for Highway Patrols
The Roads and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary, Davis Chirchir, has provided an explanation regarding the use of privately owned vehicles for highway patrols by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA). He clarified that these vehicles are not government-owned but are instead operated by contractors under performance-based maintenance agreements. This clarification came in response to questions raised by Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu during a Senate session.
Nyutu had questioned why KeNHA uses private vehicles for patrol duties and sought details about the ownership and procurement of these vehicles. In his response, Chirchir outlined the structure of KeNHA’s operations, explaining that the authority contracts out maintenance and patrol services for major roads such as Thika Road and the Nairobi Southern Bypass. These contracts are awarded through a competitive process, ensuring compliance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.
Contractual Arrangements and Responsibilities
Under these performance-based contracts, the contractors are responsible for providing the necessary vehicles for road patrols. The vehicles remain registered under the contractors’ names during the duration of their contractual obligations. Chirchir emphasized that the scope of these contracts includes regular road patrols, monitoring traffic rule compliance, responding to incidents and vehicle breakdowns, protecting road infrastructure like streetlights and guardrails, and offering assistance to motorists in distress.
He stated that this model is designed to ensure efficiency in highway maintenance and improve road safety, particularly on high-traffic corridors. By outsourcing these responsibilities, KeNHA can maintain a more flexible and responsive approach to road management.
No Plans for Government-Owned Patrol Fleets
When asked whether KeNHA plans to acquire its own patrol fleet, Chirchir confirmed that the authority does not intend to do so. Instead, he explained that the responsibility for providing the necessary equipment lies with the contractors. According to him, the contractors are expected to use their own resources to meet the requirements of their maintenance contracts.
This arrangement allows KeNHA to focus on oversight and inspection activities, which are carried out using official government vehicles. While contractors manage the day-to-day operations, KeNHA personnel conduct inspections and ensure that the contracted services meet the required standards.
Benefits of the Outsourcing Model
Chirchir highlighted the advantages of this model, stating that it promotes efficiency and ensures that road maintenance is handled by experienced and accountable parties. The use of private vehicles also allows for quicker response times and better coverage, especially in areas where traffic volumes are high.
Furthermore, the performance-based contracts encourage contractors to maintain high standards of service, as their continued involvement depends on meeting specific performance metrics. This creates a system of accountability that benefits both the public and the contractors.
Conclusion
In summary, the use of privately owned vehicles for highway patrols by KeNHA is part of a structured contractual agreement with qualified contractors. These arrangements are designed to enhance road safety, improve maintenance efficiency, and ensure that public infrastructure is well-managed. As long as the current model continues to deliver results, there are no indications that KeNHA will shift towards acquiring its own patrol fleet.
