Driver dies, 3 injured as lorries collide in Taita-Taveta

A cabin of one of the lorries that was involved in a road accident along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway on Saturday night where a driver died and three other people critically injured

Mombasa; Kenya: A truck driver died on the spot and three other people were critically injured when two lorries collided along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway in Taita-Taveta County.

Police said the accident occurred on Saturday night at Ndii, regarded as one of the major black spots in the country.

County Police Commander Richard Bitonga said one of the lorries was travelling towards Nairobi and the other in the opposite direction.

He said the driver of one of the lorries was trying to overtake another vehicle when the accident occurred, killing him and seriously injuring two turn-boys and a passenger.

Mr Bitonga said the three victims were rushed to Moi District Hospital in Voi town with multiple injuries.

The accident happened barely a month after 12 inmates at the Manyani Maximum GK Prison escaped death by a whisker after a lorry ferrying them to Voi District Hospital was involved in an accident along the busy highway.

County Prisons Commandant, who is also the Officer in-charge of the prison Nicholas Maswai, said the accident occurred when the lorry rammed another vehicle.

"We normally refer sick prisoners to the Voi hospital for further management," he said.

careless driving

Ten people have so far died and scores of others seriously injured in separate road accidents in the recent past in the region.

In one incident, a pedestrian died after he was hit by a motorcycle while walking along the Mwatate-Bura road.

A month ago, a canter transporting casual labourers also veered off the road near Njukini in Taveta District and critically injured 22 people on board.

At the same time, police have warned that drivers and motorcycle riders who violate traffic rules will be prosecuted. "We are blaming the numerous accidents on careless driving by riders. Some of them even overtake without making sure that the road is clear," said Bitonga.

He added: "We also have a problem with many of the drivers who even overtake at the wrong road sections like corners."

He said some of the boda boda riders were operating without licences and do not put on helmets and reflective jackets. "Some of the motorbikes have no registration numbers and we will deal with them ruthlessly," warned Bitonga.

He said a major crackdown on drivers flouting traffic rules was going on and would be intensified to curb the accidents.

The traffic department says at least 32 people died in road accidents in the county last year.