Residents of Isaaco area in Kieni West are calling upon the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) to erect speed bumps along the Nyeri-Nyahururu road to curb the rising number of accidents being witnessed in the area.
The angry residents blocked the busy road for the better part of the day demanding the authority to address the matter before it claims more lives along the busy highway.
Joseph Njuguna, who lost his son a month ago said hardly a day passes by without somebody being knocked down by a vehicle near the spot despite their numerous pleas to the government to construct bumps in the area.
He said so far, their cries to KeNHA to address the matter appear to have hit a dead end leaving them on their own.
Njuguna now fears the area residents may have to move to another area which is safer to avoid losing more people at the condemned spot majority of who happened to be school going children.
“Hardly a month elapses without witnessing the death of a loved one on this road due to lack of speed bumps. I recently lost my son on this very road and three days later, another person was killed on the same spot. Today we have lost two other people on the same spot and I understand there is also a funeral of another person who also happens to be a victim of this killer road,” he told the press.
Another resident Keen Wachira called upon the government to move with speed and erect bumps on the spot to avoid losing more people.
Wachira termed the absence of bumps along the road a time bomb that may end up claiming lives in droves unless sorted out expeditiously.
A KenHA official who said he is not authorized to speak on behalf of the authority told KNA they were aware of the problem but blamed area residents for interfering with initial plans of constructing bumps on the site by erecting makeshift barriers now and then.
He said plans were at an advanced stage to ensure the problem was solved as soon as possible but appealed for patience from the residents of the area.
“We are aware of the problem and we are working towards resolving it. Unfortunately, they want us to erect bumps in the area but on the other hand they want to take matters into their own hands by putting up rudimentary barriers. This cannot help the problem as it is now,” he said.
Kieni West Sub county Police boss Mr. Mohammed Ali told the media he was on leave and could therefore not comment on the incident. He has nevertheless promised to inquire about the alleged matter before he could respond.
By Samuel Maina
