MPs Seek Caps on Towing Fees Under Traffic Bill

Members of Parliament are pushing for tighter controls on vehicle recovery costs as legislative scrutiny intensifies.

The National Assembly Transport and Infrastructure Committee met at Bunge Tower in Nairobi to finalise its report on the proposed law.

Lawmakers raised concerns regarding current enforcement practices and the financial burden placed on vehicle owners.

A central point of discussion during the committee session involved the high cost of towing detained vehicles.

Bureti Member of Parliament Komingoi Kibet argued that unregulated recovery charges leave motorists vulnerable to exploitation by officers on the ground.

Lawmakers noted that leaving rate decisions entirely to law enforcement creates room for abuse.

The Traffic (Amendment) Bill seeks to reform provisions within the Traffic Act to protect vehicle owners from unreasonable deprivation of property.

Committee members proposed that law enforcement officers should bear direct responsibility for the safety of vehicles kept in official custody.

This accountability would extend to any personal valuables locked inside until legal proceedings conclude.

The committee, chaired by Ndia Member of Parliament George Kariuki, reported that extensive stakeholder consultations preceded the finalisation of the report.

Lawmakers are currently completing the schedule of proposed amendments before presenting the document to the full House. The legislation has already cleared its First Reading stage in parliament.

Further debate will follow once the committee tables its final recommendations.

The proposed changes aim to balance public safety enforcement with fair treatment for vehicle owners across the country.