Sakaja - Maasai herders can legally stop cars in Nairobi

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has reiterated that Maasai herders have the legal authority to halt vehicles in Nairobi.

He emphasised that the Traffic Act allows them to do so, as they are among the three parties involved.

Speaking at the launch of the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024-28 on Wednesday, he highlighted the necessity of revising the Act, which still contains remnants of the city's historical context.

He singled out Section 52(a) as one of these historical remnants. "The driver of a vehicle shall at all times obey any directions given, whether verbally or by signal, by a police officer in uniform, in the execution of his duty," states Section 52(a) of the Traffic Act, which was enacted in 1953.

Sakaja emphasized the urgency of amending the law, although he expressed uncertainty about whether this particular section should be altered, considering the city's heritage.

Nairobi derives its name from the Maasai phrase 'Enkare Nyrobi', meaning "cool water".