Kenyans.co.ke has reported yet another tragic accident on Kenyan roads, this time near Limuru along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway, where two people lost their lives in a collision involving a Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) vehicle.
The accident, which also left others injured, has once again raised concerns about the state of Kenya’s road infrastructure and KENHA’s role in ensuring road safety.
According to reports, the victims were occupants of a Probox ferrying milk to Nairobi. The vehicle was overtaking when it collided head-on with a KENHA vehicle.
While the Probox occupants died on the spot, those in the KENHA vehicle escaped with injuries. Limuru Police Commander Mary Gachie confirmed the accident, attributing it to reckless overtaking.
However, eyewitnesses at the scene pointed out a deeper problem the poor state of the road, which they believe played a significant role in the accident.
The Nairobi-Nakuru Highway has been a death trap for years, with frequent fatal accidents occurring along its narrow and poorly maintained stretches.
Despite numerous complaints and recommendations from road users, KENHA has consistently failed to act. Witnesses at the accident scene expressed their frustrations, calling for the expansion of the Rironi-Mau Summit road, which they say has become increasingly dangerous due to congestion and lack of proper maintenance.
Their pleas, however, seem to fall on deaf ears as KENHA continues to ignore its responsibilities while prioritizing projects that benefit a select few.
KENHA, the agency responsible for the development and maintenance of major roads, has been at the center of criticism for years. While billions are allocated annually for road expansion and maintenance, many highways remain in a deplorable state, with potholes, inadequate signage, and poor lighting.
The section of the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway where the accident occurred is just one example of KENHA’s negligence, leading to unnecessary loss of lives.
This latest accident comes just days after another tragic incident in Jusa, Taita Taveta County, where seven people, including five students from Dr. Aggrey Secondary School, died after their school bus overturned. Reports indicate that the bus’s brakes failed, highlighting yet another instance where road safety and vehicle maintenance are overlooked.
Parents have since raised concerns about the circumstances that led to their children travelling at night without proper communication.
KENHA continues to hide behind unreasonable excuses, shifting blame to motorists while failing to acknowledge its role in these recurring tragedies.
If the agency was truly committed to road safety, it would prioritize widening and maintaining key highways instead of waiting for accidents to occur before making empty promises.
The pattern is clear poor road conditions, government inaction, and an agency that refuses to take responsibility.
The government through KENHA must take immediate action ensure that road safety measures are enforced. Until then, Kenyans will continue to pay the ultimate price for the agency’s negligence.
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