Leaders from Western region have petitioned the government to redesign the killer Webuye-Eldoret highway.
They want the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to find a lasting solution to the black spots along the road, including Kaburengu and Mukhonje to prevent further loss of lives.
Speaking during a requiem Mass for eight pupils of Ebenezer Academy who died in an accident at Kuburengu, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma accused KeNHA of laxity, saying the agency ought to have redesigned the highway a long time ago.
The pupils died when their school bus was hit by a speeding truck last Saturday.
"We cannot have people calling themselves engineers sitting in an office and earning millions of taxpayers' money and what they can only do is to mark Kaburengu as a black spot instead of redesigning the road to avert more deaths and accidents," said Dr Otuoma
Matayos MP Geoffrey Odanga said lawmakers from Western will table a Bill in Parliament to have the road redesigned as a long-term solution to road accidents.
"To reduce the rising cases of road accidents and deaths at Kaburengu, we will be presenting a Bill before the National Assembly to push the Ministry of Roads and Infrastructure to redesign and upgrade the road into a dual carriageway," said Odanga.
He said whatever interventions helped end road accidents at Salgaa in Nakuru County must apply at the killer Chimoi slope towards Kaburengu junction.
Odanga's sentiments were echoed by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera who disclosed that he had presented a Bill before Parliament to have the road redesigned.
Senseless deaths
"Since January this year, we have lost 89 people along the Eldoret-Webuye road at Kaburengu but I have already presented a Bill in Parliament to have the highway redesigned to avert senseless deaths," said Nabii.
"We want trucks to have their own lane and other vehicles to use a different lane. That can be achieved only if the road is expanded and elevated to a dual carriageway," said Nabwera. Busia County Commissioner Stephen Rutto joined the leaders in calling for proper redesigning of the highway.
At least 25 people were in the school at the time the accident occurred.
Ebenezer Academy Director Elizaphan Bogonko said six learners were critically injured.
One pupil has been referred to Aga Khan Hospital Kisumu for specialised treatment while two others are receiving treatment at Life Care Hospital in Bungoma County, according to Bogonko.
Three pupils are admitted to the Bungoma County Referral Hospital. Nine pupils who escaped with minor injuries were discharged and allowed to join their families.
According to Bongoko, three members of staff are still in hospital. One is at Bungoma Referral Hospital, the second one is at Webuye and the third is admitted to Kakamega General Hospital.
The driver of the ill-fated bus is also receiving treatment at Bungoma County Referral Hospital. The learners are expected back in school on July 10, after the half term break.
"We are planning to conduct a psycho-counseling session for them and their parents following the unfortunate incident," said Bogonko.
Kaburengu black spot continues to record fatal accidents despite calls to have action taken.
On June 4, four people died at the black spot after a trailer veered off the road and rammed a motorbike rider.
