Two young siblings who were killed when a matatu reportedly driven by a drunk driver hit them were laid to rest in an emotional send-off on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
During the burial near Maragua in Murang'a County, a cross-section of leaders called on the government to take deterrent measures against drivers of public service vehicles (PSVs) who go to work while drunk.
The two; Ian Mwangi Kamande, aged 12, and his younger sister Precious Nyambura were pupils at Makongo Primary School in Gatanga sub-county and were walking home when the accident occurred on March 3, 2023.
Several other pupils and adult pedestrians sustained injuries when the matatu driver avoided a speed bump and ploughed into a crowd walking on the roadside.
Addressing mourners, leaders among them road safety officials and politicians expressed their dismay over the death of the two kids whose lives were snuffed out senselessly at that age.
Edward Gitonga, the chairman Speed Governors and Road Safety Association said his team is lobbying for the suspension of matatu saccos whose drivers drink alcohol while on duty.
"We cannot continue losing innocent lives in this manner, particularly when a PSV driver is allowed to drive while under the influence of alcohol," said the official who appealed to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to suspend operations for such matatu saccos until their members comply.
He said alcohol was being sold to matatu crews in most of the matatu stages in various centres in the Mount Kenya area including Thika town.
"The loss of lives is too much to bear not only for the family members but also the country at large. Last year over 6,000 Kenyans lost their lives in road carnage, as a country, we must stop this," Gitonga stated.
His National Road Safety Association Chairman David Kiarie said he is pushing Members of Parliament to amend the Traffic Act and introduce a charge of murder for drivers who cause death through reckless driving.
"We are also appealing to the Transport Cabinet Secretary and NTSA to support the initiative. People are getting away with murder on the roads," Kiarie said.
Kiambu County Woman Representative Ann Muratha and her Murang'a counterpart Betty Maina who attended the burial said consumption of illicit brews in the Central Kenya region was eradicating generations in the area and decisive action must be taken to end the menace.
They also told police and administration officers to enact the law and stop colluding with brewers and sellers by receiving bribes.
Esther Wahome, the head teacher of Makongo Primary School, said another pupil was knocked down and killed at the same spot where the accident occurred and appealed to the authorities to build a footbridge as a lasting solution.
She added that there is a zebra crossing mark on the road "but this cannot stop a reckless driver from running over our pupils."
The children's father John Kamande said the family is yet to come to terms with the loss, noting that his firstborn son had died a while back from an illness.
He said Ian who was a scout dreamed to become a military officer while his sister Precious wanted to be a servant of God.
