Three people die in accident involving Suna West MP’s car along Sotik-Bomet highway

Vehicle belonging to Suna West Member of Parliament Joseph Ndiege that was involved in a road accident Sunday along Bomet-Sotik highway. The MP's driver was trying to overtake a lorry when it hit a motorcycle killing the rider and two passengers.[ PHOTO/GILBERT KIMUTAI/STANDARD]

Three people died in a road accident involving a motorcycle and a car belonging to Suna West MP Joseph Ndiege.

The MP was travelling to Nairobi with his family when he was involved in the accident one kilometre from Bomet town near Chepkosa along Sotik-Bomet highway.

The legislator sustained minor injuries and was rushed to Tenwek Mission Hospital in Bomet Central, his aide said. The aide who declined to be named said the MP's three children, his bodyguard and the driver escaped unhurt. Witnesses said the lawmaker's vehicle was trying to overtake a lorry when it hit the motorcycle, killing the rider and his two passengers on the spot.

"The rider was turning away from the highway when his motorcycle was hit by the Toyota Land Cruiser while trying to overtake a lorry which was also traveling towards Bomet Town," said Caro Ruto, a witness. Ms Ruto said the vehicle hit the motorcycle and dragged it for more than 10m before landing in a ditch.

erect bumps

"The cyclist and the passengers remained stuck under the vehicle until a team of officers came to the scene and retrieved the bodies and transferred them to Longisa Hospital mortuary," the witness said.

The accident sparked a protest as residents barricaded a section of the road demanding the erecting of bumps.

Attempts by police to disperse the protesting residents were futile after they refused to vacate the scene, causing a huge traffic snarl up on both sides of the highway.

Police were forced to fire teargas but the adamant crowd overpowered them. The officers were forced to watch from the periphery as they dug a huge trench on a section of the road.

Bomet OCPD Abel Sande said the protesters complained that lack of bumps had led to an increase in accidents.

"The protesting youth are demanding bumps on that section of the road and we have agreed to help in putting up a temporary bump so that they can allow us to open the road and allow traffic to continue as usual," the officer said.

The protesters accused the national government of ignoring their plea.

"We will not allow any vehicle to pass here today until bumps are put up on this road. It is not amusing at all to continue seeing people die every day when it can be stopped through erecting bumps," a protester said.

Another protester added: "People have been dying here and the Government has not seen any sense in erecting bumps."