Rising Accidents Toll Spurs Demand for Immediate Safety Reforms

In the wake of a series of tragic road accidents in Kenya, the Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, has expressed his condolences to the families and friends who have lost their loved ones and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in these incidents.

The recent accidents have raised serious concerns about road safety and prompted the Ministry of Roads and Transport to take immediate action.

“On behalf of the ministry, I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends who have lost their loved once and wish a quick recovery to those who have been injured in the various accidents in the country,” Murkomen said through a statement on March 19, 2024.

On Monday, March 18, 2024, a collision between a bus carrying students from Kenyatta University and a trailer on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway resulted in the loss of at least eleven lives. The students were on their way from Nairobi to Mombasa when the accident occurred at the Pipeline area along the highway.

An investigation revealed that heavy rain and the university bus driver's overtaking manoeuvre led to the collision.

A police report filed at Maungu Police Station says that the accident occurred around 5:50 pm at the Pipeline area along the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway.

 “The bus skidded to the right side of the road as one faces Mombasa, which prompted the truck driver to avoid a head-on collision, hence hitting the left side of the university bus,” the police report read in part.

This incident followed another fatal accident earlier that same day in Bomet, where a passenger van collided with a tractor, claiming the lives of five individuals and leaving 18 others injured.

Additionally, on Saturday, March 16, 2024, a bus carrying students from Kapsabet Boys High School lost control and rolled over, resulting in the deaths of a teacher and a student.

According to statistics from the police, at least 4,000 people lose their lives in road accidents annually in Kenya.

In response to the recent accidents, the Ministry of Roads and Transport released a press statement on March 19, 2024. The statement expressed the ministry's commitment to conducting thorough investigations into the causes of the accidents and taking appropriate remedial actions.

It called upon all road users to exercise discipline and engage in safe road practices, emphasizing the importance of obeying traffic laws, regulations, and common courtesy.

To improve road safety, the ministry issued several directives. Firstly, it announced the enforcement of road safety laws through collaboration between the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the traffic police.

Secondly, the retesting of all Public Service Vehicles (PSV) and Heavy Commercial drivers, which had previously been postponed, will be implemented without further delay. Additionally, the NTSA will develop measures to implement medical testing for all drivers to ensure that only medically fit individuals are licensed to drive.

Lastly, the National Police Service (NPS) and NTSA will intensify nationwide enforcement efforts and impound unroadworthy vehicles and those not integrated with the intelligent road safety management system to transmit speed limiter data.

The ministry's directives were met with a mixed response from netizens on social media. Some expressed the need for immediate implementation of the measures and emphasized the urgency of preventing further loss of life on Kenyan roads.

Others suggested conducting an audit of all tarmac roads to address issues such as the lack of road signs, unmarked bumps, and substandard road conditions. However, some netizens expressed scepticism, stating that statements alone would not be sufficient to end accidents.

Here are some of the comments by users on X:

@DrDennisOuma

These directives should be effected immediately on our roads, Mr.Murkomen. We can't afford to lose more lives in our country through road accidents. Road accidents are becoming a crisis in Kenya. Act now.

@safe_schoolske

Thank you, Waziri. These are good measures if implemented. However, I have consistently requested that you consider an audit of all tarmac roads, and you will realize how many lack road signs, bumps are unmarked, others are not standard, etc. Let’s start there! @KeNHAKenya.

@maragia046

NTSA should work tirelessly to ensure that there are fewer accidents.

 @_EyushVick

Statements won't end accidents.