UDA MP Tables Bill To Fine Accident Witnesses Ksh50,000 In New Proposal
On Wednesday, July 24, the National Assembly received a Bill requiring eyewitnesses to testify in the event of an accident.
If witnesses fail to report or provide a true version of an accident, they will face a fine of Ksh50,000.
Limuru Member of Parliament John Kiragu Chege drafted the National Transport Safety Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which includes the proposed amendments.
According to the Bill, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) will be responsible for investigating accidents.
Once an accident occurs, the NTSA will hire a qualified person to investigate it.
The investigator will have complete access to everything related to the accident, including eyewitnesses, victims, and drivers.
“Where an investigator has reasons to believe that a person is capable of supplying information, producing a document or giving evidence that may assist in the performance of an investigation, the investigator may by summons signed by himself or herself and served on that person, require the person to furnish the information in writing signed by the person served, and in the case of a body corporate, signed by a competent officer of the body corporate,” the Bill read in part.
The witness will be asked to provide evidence or produce documents relating to the accident at the specified time and in the manner indicated.
“A person who, without lawful excuse, refuses or fails to comply with a summon under this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than fifty thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not less than six months or to both,” Kenyans are warned.
The Bill empowers the NTSA to obtain information from witnesses, even if the evidence provided will incriminate the individual.
If the investigator believes the witness is withholding information, an arrest warrant will be issued, allowing police to search the witness’s premises and property.
The police will conduct a search and make copies or extracts from any evidence relevant to the case.
UDA MP Tables Bill To Fine Accident Witnesses Ksh50,000 In New Proposal
