Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen launched the nationwide road Safety Campaign in Kericho County Saturday, in an effort to reduce road carnage
The campaign entails marking of roads and placement of signage on major roads and highways with the pilot phase targeting Kericho, Nakuru, Kiambu, Machakos and Nyeri counties.
The CS expressed concern that 5000 people die annually due to road accidents, explaining that 1500 people below the age of 35 die from motorcycle accidents, while 700 bodaboda passengers lose their lives yearly due to road accidents.
“It is sad that 800 pedestrians hit by bodabodas die yearly on our roads. Most accidents occur due to negligence by road users to obey the traffic rules and road signage,” added Murkomen.
The CS also launched the upgrading of bitumen standards of 10 kms of Kericho Town Roads, ahead of the Mashujaa celebrations to improve access to the Kericho stadium Green Stadium, where the national event will be held.
According to Murkomen, the roads that will have Non-Motorized Transport components such as walk ways and drainage systems will decongest Kericho town and also enhance access to essential amenities including the market and schools.
The CS who also inspected the ongoing upgrading of the Kerenga Airstrip that will cater for guests landing in Kericho Mashujaa celebrations, said the airstrip runway will be extended to two kilometers for maximum utilization.
Murkomen thanked the County government for agreeing to donate more land to facilitate expansion of the airstrip and construction of a modern passenger terminal.
“My Ministry is implementing the National Aviation Policy, whose objective is to open up the nation’s airspace and attract more investment, thus creating jobs and growing the economy,” he said.
Other leaders present included Kericho County Governor Dr. Eric Mutai, Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, Woman Representative Beatrice Kemei as well as MPs Benjamin Langat and Nelson Koech among other area leaders.
By Kibe Mburu
