Kasambara village weeps as four family members laid to rest

Four caskets currying the remains of four family members who perished on a road accident last week after the Matatu they were traveling in was involved on an accident along Nakuru-Nairobi highway near Kikopey center in Gilgil,Nakuru county.The funeral service was held at Kasambara village in Gilgil before they were laid to rest on December 23,2014.PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH

A sombre mood engulfed Kasambara village in Gilgil as four family members, who died last week after a matatu they were travelling in was involved in an accident, were laid to rest.

Six family members lost their lives in the accident that occurred near Kikopey centre in Gilgil but two of them were buried last weekend.

The four buried yesterday were John Wainaina Maina, Pauline Waceke, Tabitha Njeri Mwangi and six-year-old Allan Chege Njoroge.

Eleven more victims, eight minors and three adults, who were also travelling in the ill-fated matatu are still admitted at various hospitals in the county.

Stern action

Yesterday, mourners who attended the funeral service at Kasambara Primary School wailed and others fainted when the four hearses bearing the remains arrived at the venue.

Speaking at the funeral, area Ward Rep Jane Simita said in the last one month, 21 people have been killed in the area through road accidents, adding that stern measures need to be taken as a deterrent to rogue driving.

"How many people must die before our traffic police can stop collecting bribes and take action? The goings-on in Kenya's transport sector must be taken seriously," she said.

The MCA called for action to be taken against drivers who cause loss of life through reckless driving, saying most accidents occur either due to drink driving or speeding at well-known black spots.

Some of the black spots along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway and Nakuru- Eldoret highway include St Mary's, Mbaruk, Sobea and Sachangwan.

On her part, county Woman Rep Mary Mbugua appealed to motorists and other road users to observe traffic rules especially during this festive season, saying many lives are lost during Christmas and end-of-year celebrations.

However, a police inspector from Gilgil Police Station, Kenneth Nyaga, while addressing the mourners, maintained that road safety is not a preserve of traffic officers.

He urged all road users, especially passengers, to take a more proactive role in this.

Road signs

"Passengers should monitor and put rogue drivers to task because over speeding as human error tops the list of causes of accidents on our highways," he said.

Mr Nyaga also asked the Roads ministry to ensure defaced road signs are replaced for enhanced safety.