Malindi has a special ward for bike injuries

By Paul Gitau and Osinde Obare

A bloody scene that has become all too common was re-enacted in Malindi town last week.

A motorcycle ‘boda boda’ carrying a woman and her six-month-old baby emerged from an adjacent footpath into Malindi’s Ganda Road junction.

A speeding trailer from Gongoni appeared, with the driver struggling to avoid hitting the speeding bike. It was too late. The lorry hit the motorbike, killing the rider and his passengers on the spot.

Fatal crashes

This is an example of fatal accidents involving motorcycles in Malindi almost weekly.

Due to the rising statistics, a special ward has been established at the Malindi District Hospital where only motorcycle accident victims are admitted.

The ward handles motorcycle accident victims only. Inset: The hospital’s gate. [PHOTOS: PAUL GITAU/STANDARD]

The ward was established last year. Malindi District Medical Officer of Health Morris Buni says most victims sustain fractures and cuts and the hospital opted to set aside the ward to specialise in such injuries.

Dr Buni says they admit at least three patients daily.

"We usually receive at least three patients and in most cases we stitch or handle fractures," he said. Two people, Buni said, have died at the hospital this year. The ward is usually fully occupied with about 15 patients and some forced to share beds.

Malindi Traffic Base Commander Gabriel Mulei says there are more than 1,000 motorcycles operating in Malindi and Watamu tourist resorts.

Mr Mulei says there are at least five fatal cases involving motorcycles every month.

"I believe the cases are more than ten as some go unreported after the involved parties settle matters on their own. They fear the bikes will be confiscated since they are not insured," he says.

Mulei adds: "We have been conducting crackdowns on these motorcycle operators and now they have opted to operate at night."

In Kitale, police say 80 per cent of about 10,000 riders have no training.

"The motorbikes have turned into a traffic menace," says Kitale Mayor Charles Bonyo. Most bike accident victims are women, police say. Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa directed that Sh480,000 from the CDF be used to train motorbike riders in Kitale.

"We are alarmed by the high number of motorbike accidents and we have allocated money from the CDF to train 140 riders," said Mr Wamalwa.

Traffic records indicate nearly 40 accidents are reported daily in Kitale, most of which are caused by unqualified riders.

Security challenges have also dogged the business, especially in Central and Western provinces. About 20 motorbikes have been hijacked in Kitale town in the last five months. Some riders accuse police of failing to protect them.

 

 

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