More than 1,800 lives have been lost in the country through road accidents since the year started, with most involving bado bodas.
According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Nairobi, Nakuru and Kakamega counties are leading with the highest cases of reported road accidents.
NTSA Director General Francis Meja attributed the increased cases to violation of traffic rules by road users.
“Since the year started, 1,899 people have died due to road accidents. In Kakamega, we have lost 74 people through accidents,” said Mr Meja.
Speaking over the weekend in Navakholo while issuing driving licences to boda boda operators in the constituency, he said 60 per cent of the accidents involved innocent pedestrians.
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He also blamed boda boda riders for being accomplices of crime in the country, saying most of them have been blamed for cases such as hijacking and drug trafficking.
“Boda boda riders have become accomplices of crime. We are determined to end this mess and we will win it. Kenyans should learn to obey and adhere to traffic rules to reduce accidents, which have also left many people crippled,” he said.
Meja said soon all boda boda operators will be forced to secure an insurance cover for themselves and their motorbikes.
He said NTSA is in negotiations with the Insurance Regulatory Board (IRB) to ensure all riders have an insurance cover.
“Many riders involved in accidents are unable to cater for their medication,” he said.
Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Western region Moses Ombati asked the riders to prioritise their security and beware of “killer” passengers.
Odd hours
“We have increased cases of riders being killed, attacked and their motorbikes stolen. To end this problem, riders should consider their personal safety and stop carrying unknown people to destinations they do not know,” said Ombati.
He asked boda boda riders to adhere to security measures put in place and also observe traffic rules to curb accidents and insecurity in the region.
“Riders should be at the forefront to end road accidents by observing traffic rules, not carrying excess passengers and not operating at odd hours. By doing so we will manage road accidents and insecurity in the region,” he said.
Western region traffic commander Evans Getembe said accidents involving riders have reduced in the region. He, however, said: “The issue of being disorderly in the name of mourning or escorting dead people should stop.”
Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, who sponsored 1,000 boda boda operators from his constituency to undergo traffic training, asked the riders to form a Sacco to cater for their welfare.
