Kibra MP’s Driver George Oduor Fined Ksh.100,000 for Obstructing Traffic
Kibra MP Orero and his personal Driver Oduor. On the right is the car they were driving in
George Oduor, the personal driver of Kibra Member of Parliament Peter Orero, has been fined Ksh.100,000 after admitting to dangerous driving that caused obstruction on a busy Nairobi road. The penalty is the culmination of a viral video that documented the careless driving by Oduor on the road, arousing outrage and quickly leading to a court intervention.
Oduor was taken to the Milimani Traffic Court where he was accused of dangerous overtaking and hindering other road users. According to the prosecution team, the accident arose on the 9th of October in the Oloitoktok Road in Nairobi where Oduor was found driving at an alarming rate creating a jam in the traffic, and causing harm to other road users.
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The video which went viral on social media sites was a demonstration of the vehicle associated with the office of the legislator pushing through the traffic and this attracted strong criticism among the Kenyans who demanded accountability. Oduor, who was the driver of the MP, was later traced and arrested by the police.
Oduor did not challenge the charges read to him and he pleaded guilty. During the mitigation, he informed the court that he was in a rush to drop a passenger at the airport. He has shown remorse of his actions and requested the court to be lenient on his actions by stating that what he did was not appropriate and that he would never repeat the offense again.
In court proceedings, Oduor claimed that he had done it out of haste and not out of malice. He apologized to the court stating that he had learned the lesson of his error and he was willing to pay the price.
The magistrate was able to recognize that Oduor was repentant and had guilty plea but pointed out the severity of the traffic offence. As the court observed, the law provisions give a fine of up to Ksh.100,000 as a result of such violations especially where safety of other road users is endangered.
The magistrate said in her decision that although the apology and cooperation of the driver were considered by the court, it had to enforce the law and send a strong signal to motorists who break the law. She hence gave her the highest fine possible as provided in the Traffic Act.
I have put into consideration what you mentioned to me about mitigation, the magistrate decided, but the law shows a fine of up to Ksh.100,000 as a penalty to this offence. It is therefore to the utmost in my judgment that I shall inflict the utmost penalty.
Oduor was ordered to pay the fine just before being released. This ruling was perceived as a harsh lesson that traffic laws govern everybody on the road irrespective of their social or political affiliations.
This incident has revived the controversy of irresponsible driving by those connected with political leaders and the necessity of more severe implementation of traffic laws. The Kenyan people have celebrated this move by the court considering it a move to restore sanity and instill a sense of control in the usually hectic city traffic.
The motorists have constantly been advised by the traffic authorities not to overtake dangerously, obstruct, and also abuse either the official or personal vehicles. Such act has been a contributing factor to the jammed roads and accidents in Nairobi.
The case points out that social media is increasingly becoming prominent in reporting traffic crimes and bringing culprits to justice. Viral videos like the one by Oduor remain critical in achieving justice to the perpetrators of traffic law offences irrespective of their status.
