Kimaeti division residents on Friday staged a protest that occasioned the disruption of traffic along the Great North road between Bungoma and Malaba demanding the erection of bumps to stop pedestrian deaths.
The demonstrations fronted by the Anglican church of Kenya faithful causing a one-hour traffic snarl up came in the wake of last Thursday’s death of four-year-old Abiel Yakobo Mukhamia.
Demonstrators on the busy highway carried placards stating, “our lives matter, KENHA, we need speed bumps, Stop killing us, as they matched from the market to the home of the deceased for a special prayer service.
The little boy was knocked down by a speeding cargo truck headed to Malaba while ferrying goods from Mombasa port destined for the great lakes region.
The truck owned by Taslim Transporters based in the coastal town has since been impounded and is at Bungoma police county headquarters.
The death follows those of six other adult victims in recent times in similar circumstances prompting the demand by residents that Kenya National Highways Authority, immediately construct bumps to ensure that vehicles plying the route slow down at the built-up area.
The market which is located at the junction of the Highway and the Myanga- Malakisi- Lwakhakha road also lacks visible 50 km limit traffic signs required to warn drivers to slow down while approaching.
The residents’ anger was further compounded by the absence of police officers to divert traffic during the cause of the demonstrations despite having received prior notice
Public administration officials gave the special prayer service a wide berth, further raising eyebrows.
The deceased was son to Mr. Lucus Mukhamia, the Vihiga County Director of Agribusiness and Mrs. Scovia Mukhamia.
The prayer service was led by Rev. Eliah Sialo Masinde of the Anglican church of Kenya, Bungoma branch.
Bungoma police commander Wilson Nanga confirmed the incident saying investigations were underway.
By Roseland Lumwamu
