There was drama at Yukos area of Kitengela after a speeding water bowser killed 15 sheep that were crossing the Nairobi-Namanga road to the chagrin of herdsmen who arrived at the scene in numbers.
Word went like bush fire that sheep had been killed through an accident and herdsmen from as far as Isinya town thronged the scene in high numbers ready to take the law into their hands.
The water bowser lorry was heading towards Kitengela from Isinya direction before it rammed into the herd of sheep killing 15 on the spot.
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According to an eye witness, other motorists had slowed down to allow the herd to cross but suddenly the water bowser came speeding and overlapped the other vehicles ramming into the sheep.
The herdsman who was looking after the sheep escaped death by a whisker as he was across the road when the accident occurred.
Motorists who witnessed the accident blamed the lorry driver for reckless use of the road saying despite other vehicles slowing down to allow the sheep to cross, he resorted to ramming into the sheep.
Protesting residents gathered around the area of the accident demanding justice for the sheep owner.
It took the intervention of Kitengela traffic police officers who promptly responded to save the life of the driver who was held by locals as a surging crowd threatened to burn the lorry into ashes.
A bitter argument ensued on the criteria of payment of the sheep given at least seven of them were expectant.
Some locals argued that the expectant sheep ought to be paid as two and paid at least fivefold the market price of a goat since the owner had not planned to sell them.
Angry locals say the loss has occurred when pastoralists are going through tough times due to drought. Currently, a sheep is trading at between Ksh5,000 and Ksh6,000.
On the other hand, some motorists have expressed displeasure with some farmers herding cattle and sheep along the road saying there are no road signposts indicating presence of livestock crossing the road.
Residents now want all road users to be more careful while on the road to avert evitable accidents involving livestock.
Incidences of hit and run vehicles ramming into sheep and goats along the Nairobi-Namanga are rampant.
