Molo Sub-County Police Commander, Mwenda Muthamia has cautioned motorists against flouting traffic rules during this festive season saying those found defaulting will face the full force of the law.
Muthamia observed that the Nakuru-Eldoret highway that has several black spots has already claimed several lives due to the negligence of the drivers and this will no longer be tolerated, even as the government intensifies crackdown on rogue motorists to avert similar incidents.
“Ten people lost their lives at Ngata area along the same highway last week after a trailer ran over several matatus,” he noted.
“Four others almost lost their lives in a similar manner today. It’s unfortunate that motorists are speeding to make a kill for the day, but they ought to stick to the laid down speed limits, otherwise more lives will be lost,” lamented Muthamia.
He continued to say that they have done everything possible to reduce the number of accidents occurring including training of bodaboda riders, hence the need to put in place more stringent measures that will help arrest the situation.
The police commander urged all motorists and riders to ensure that their vehicles more especially the PSVs are in good condition before embarking on a journey as one of the ways of averting such horrific incidents.
His sentiments come a day after a trailer rammed into several shops at Sachang’wan trading centre, where four people were seriously injured and rushed to the Nakuru level five hospital for further medical attention.
According to an eye witness, Edward Kaweli, the driver of the trailer who is among those nursing injuries at the hospital facility is said to have been at high speed, before ramming into a semi-permanent hotel and several shops at a permanent building.
Kaweli, who was also on transit said that the trailer might have experienced failed breaks as it went down the 11km stretch downhill.
Recently, Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki directed the police and officers from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to conduct a countrywide crackdown on all road users in a bid to curb rising accident occurrences during this festive season.
According to data from NTSA 3,358 people have died as a result of road accidents between January and September this year, compared to last year same period, where there were 3,122 fatalities.
This represents a 7.6 percent increase, thus the need to continue adhering to traffic rules so as to reduce the numbers.
By Emily Kadzo
