Hundreds of residents in Kericho town including motorists, bodaboda operators, and pedestrians benefitted from free medical checkups and education about road safety as Kenya observed the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
The solemn event, held at the Kericho Main Matatu Terminus, provided an opportunity to raise awareness about road safety and honour those who lost lives to road accidents.
Assistant County Commissioner, Preston Ochieng shared alarming statistics during the event, revealing that Kericho County had witnessed 323 road accidents so far in 2024, a decrease from 699 accidents in the previous year.
The ACC further disclosed that despite the reduction in incidents, there were a total of 45 fatalities in road accidents this year, down from 89 deaths in 2023.
Ochieng emphasized the importance of responsible road use, urging motorists, boda boda operators, and pedestrians to adhere strictly to traffic rules to prevent further tragedies.
“I urge all drivers to refrain from working when unwell or under the influence of drugs, drowsiness or impairment can lead to accidents, and we must take personal responsibility to keep the roads safe,” he said.
Looking ahead to the busy festive season, the ACC also called on Public Service Vehicle (PSV) drivers to exercise caution by avoiding speeding and overloading, ensuring the safety of travelers during the holidays.
At the same time, Kericho County Secretary Kirui Kipyegon, who also attended the event, assured residents that the county government would undertake urgent repairs to the town’s dilapidated roads and construct additional washrooms at the Matatu stage.
“We are also ensuring all streetlights are functional to improve security and visibility for road users at night,” he added.
The event saw widespread participation from organisations such as the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), the Kenya Red Cross Society, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), representatives from Kericho County Referral Hospital, the South Rift Driving Schools Association, PSV operators, the National Police Service, and the Bodaboda Association of Kericho among others.
Additionally, hundreds of residents who turned up for the event donated blood to show solidarity with road traffic victims.
By Kibe Mburu and Ken Kiprotich
