More bumps to be erected at black spot areas along Nakuru- Eldoret highway

Transport Principal Secretary Eng. John Mosonik and Kenya Roads Board General Manager Finance Rashid Mohamed (left), addressing the press in his Nairobi office on January 8th 1015. [Photo:GOVEDI ASUTSA].

The Transport and Infrastructure ministry has allocated Sh500 million for the construction of a dual carriage at Salgaa killer stretch on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway.

Principal Secretary John Mosonik said the project was the solution to the numerous accidents that had claimed more than 60 people this year.

Eng Mosonik said the ministry has dispatched a team of technical officers from the Kenya National Highways Authority(KenHA) to start marking all bumps and erecting road signs from Salgaa to Kibunja as an emergency measure to curb road carnage.

“A team from the ministry has been dispatched to erect more bumps in black spots and mark the road to ensure not a single death is reported,” said Mosonik.

He was speaking after touring the killer Salgaa-Kibunja-Sachangwan stretch that claimed more than 15 lives on Tuesday.

“It is sad to have people die in road accidents, this is why the ministry is marking and erecting more bums as a short term solution,” he said.

He reiterated that the government is committed and working towards long-term effective interventions to end road carnage in the country.

Mosonik was accompanied by KenHA director Peter Mundinia and Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui.

Lasting solution

Whereas most motorists and road users blame KenHA for failing to find lasting solution to accidents, Mosonik said accidents on the highway were caused by speeding and overtaking.

“Motorists should be keen because it is unfortunate that despite warning and road signage, some are undisciplined,” he said.

He said tendering for the construction of a dual carriageway from Salgaa to Kibunja was ongoing, adding that the work would begin in February.

A spot check by The Standard along the highway noted that several road blocks had  been erected, with more traffic officers regulating movement of vehicles.

Unlike in previous days when drivers could be spotted speeding and freewheeling, they were yesterday driving cautiously and adhered to traffic rules.

Governor Kinyanjui warned locals against vandalising road signage and called on drivers to observe discipline instead of waiting on police and NTSA officers to enforce the law.