Over 2,000 road accident deaths recorded since January

Narok accident at Ntulele claimed over 41 people. [Photo: File/STANDARD]

By Cyrus Ombati

Nairobi, Kenya: More than 2,000 people have been killed in road accidents in the country since January.

Police revealed up to 2,211 people had died by Saturday in the accidents and that among them 1,019 are pedestrians, 575 passengers, 211 motor cyclists, 205 drivers, 106 pillion passengers and 95 pedal cyclists.

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo said they have recorded 1,776 cases of fatal accidents, 2,029 serious road accidents and 491 slightly serious road accidents in the period.

The latest incident happened on Saturday in Kaptunga area, Kericho County where six people died in a collision between a bus and saloon car.

“Apparently, the bus driver was trying to overtake another motor vehicle at an accident black spot when it collided with the saloon car head on,” said Kimaiyo.

“Such a huge number of people being killed in accidents is a blow to the economy and development at large as the victims could be involved in various activities that can uplift their living standards.”

Kimaiyo termed the number as alarming and urged for caution from all concerned parties to cut them down.

The police boss directed all police officers to commence an operation to detect all traffic offences and enforce traffic rules at all times.

“My office will not hesitate to take serious contemplated action on officers who will be compromised in all road accidents where serious injuries are caused resulting into maim or death,” he said.

Co-drivers

He said they have planned a consultative meeting with other stakeholders to come up with measures that can address the accidents.

Part of the proposals being made include the need to have two drivers during all long distance journeys.

“Of the two drivers, each will be required to drive for not more than eight hours and thereafter take a rest of a similar number of hours,” said Kimaiyo.

Kimaiyo added they will push to ensure the drivers and conductors are employed on permanent terms as opposed to temporary basis.

The meeting will also back a proposal to have drivers who cause accidents lose their driving licences for life and force owners of the affected vehicles forfeit their Transport Licensing Board licenses or any other trading approval.

“For the owners of the vehicles, they can face further charges of being accomplices of causing death,” he said of the planned meeting to enact the strict legislations.

The police boss who spoke in Nairobi also urged passengers to avoid boarding vehicles that are not roadworthy as a way of reducing accidents.

It is not the first time that such measures are proposed. According to the interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku, there are good laws that if implemented can address the menace.

Lenku said there seems to be a disconnect amongst major players in the industry hence need for the talks to agree on the way forward.

He added Kenya has good laws that if implemented will bring sanity on the roads.

“We have good laws that can ensure safety for all but there seems to be a disconnection somewhere and that is why we are planning a major meeting to discuss the way forward.”