Kenya has been plunged into mourning after a series of devastating road accidents claimed at least 80 lives in just four days. Transport CS Davis Chirchir announced a raft of measures aimed at reducing accidents in the country. This pushed the country’s fatality toll for the year to 2,933. Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir confirmed the grim figures on Monday, August 11, saying the surge in deadly crashes had prompted an urgent safety review targeting the most dangerous stretches of the road network. Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner 😉 A multi-agency team has been dispatched to carry out detailed inspections, reconstruct accident scenes, and pinpoint hazards that may have contributed to the tragedies.
Transport CS speaks after spike in accidents In a statement, Chirchir said the findings, expected within a week, will include technical recommendations to help prevent further loss of life. He expressed condolences to bereaved families and wished a swift recovery to survivors still undergoing treatment in hospitals across the country. “The team is expected to complete the exercise within the next seven days and submit technical recommendations for implementation to avert unnecessary loss of lives,” the statement read. The Cabinet Secretary stressed that his ministry remains committed to both immediate and long-term measures outlined in Kenya’s National Road Safety Action Plan 2024–2028. These efforts, he said, will be implemented in collaboration with stakeholders and within the limits of available resources. He revealed that legislative reforms to strengthen road safety are already at an advanced stage. What measures will government implement after accidents? These will include stricter rules for school transport, tighter regulation of commercial vehicle operations, enhanced measures to curb drunk driving, more rigorous vehicle inspections, the establishment of roadside stations, and a comprehensive review of the Traffic Act.
Chirchir also pointed to ongoing infrastructure upgrades aimed at reducing road accidents. Among them are the redesign of the Nithi Bridge, long regarded as a danger spot, and the expansion of the Rironi–Mau Summit Road into a dual carriageway. Both projects, he noted, are progressing well and are expected to be completed soon. Transport CS Davis Chirchir urged for caution among road users to reduce accidents. Photo: Ministry of Transport. Source: Twitter Meanwhile, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) will continue to lead public education and awareness drives to promote safe behaviour on the roads. Chirchir urged all transport stakeholders and road users, including drivers, pedestrians, boda boda riders, and cyclists, to make safety their top priority. Observing speed limits, maintaining vehicles, holding valid licences, and obeying traffic regulations, he emphasised, are not optional but essential responsibilities shared by everyone. “This wholistic and collaborative approach will go a long way in reducing fatalities and injuries on our roads. We note that road traffic accidents are not only predictable but also preventable if all road users played their part,” the CS added.
How many accidents happened in the last 4 days? The latest deaths followed one of the most tragic weekends in recent memory. In Kisumu County, 26 people were killed when a school bus carrying mourners overturned at the notorious Coptic blackspot on the Kisumu–Kakamega highway. In Kajiado County, eight more died after a lorry collided head-on with a 14-seater matatu at Korompoi along the Namanga–Kitengela Road. In Makueni County, four people were killed when their car rolled several times on the Kibwezi–Kitui Road after the driver lost control. The victims were returning from a dowry ceremony ahead of a wedding scheduled for next Saturday, with the bride-to-be among the dead. Just hours before Chirchir’s address, tragedy struck again on the Kisumu–Busia road near Lela in Maseno. One person was killed and six others were injured when a flatbed trailer attempted to overtake at a sharp bend, striking a Royal Liner bus from behind.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
