Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen reacted swiftly to impose new measures after eight people died in a tragic road accident at Ngata bridge on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway on Tuesday, December 13, 2022.
Murkomen on Tuesday evening announced new measures that would be undertaken to forestall any such accidents specifically in the Ngata area along the Nakuru-Salgaa road which is considered a black spot.
"I have, this evening, instructed the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to immediately implement adequate measures to forestall any such accidents. The actions will be for the short term and the long term," Murkomen said in a statement.
"In the immediate term, this action to be undertaken include; Installation of 'Observe Lane Discipline' signs from both approaches of the three lanes, installation of 50KPH speed limit signs on both approaches of the three lanes and police to enforce the above, including use of speed guns," the statement added.
Murkoment further revealed that his ministry would commence the construction of an additional lane to separate the flow stream.
"In the long-term, by April 2023, I have instructed the Authority to commence construction of an additional lane and separate the flow stream of traffic with jersey barriers in the median akin to the dualled Molo river-Sachangwan-Kibunja section," the Roads CS said.
Trailer, two matatus
The Tuesday accident involved two passenger matatus and a trailer at the Ngata bridge along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway.
Speaking to journalists at the scene of the accident, Nakuru West sub-county police commander Edwin Otieno stated that the trailer that was en route to Nakuru City veered off the road and hit a matatu that was heading to Kapsabet.
"The two matatus had 14 passengers each on board. 8 perished in this accident and 20 have been rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
"All the injured people have been rushed to the hospital where they are undergoing treatment. So far our officers have been dispatched to various places.
"I will be very categorical to appeal to KENHA to at least do something on this highway. Moreso around Ngata bridge because it has become a black spot. We need a footbridge and bumps to be erected along this road because it has become a black spot," he said.
