At least fourteen lives were claimed in two separate road accidents within a span of mere hours. The incidents, unfolding tragically on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway and the Kericho-Nakuru highway, have once again spotlighted the perilous conditions that persist on Kenya’s roads.
The first incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning in the Ngata area of Nakuru. Authorities reported that three vehicles were involved—a Toyota van and two lorries. Rift Valley police boss, Tom Odera, confirmed the grim toll, stating that the accident resulted in the loss of eight lives, including six adults and two children. Seven others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment in nearby hospitals.
According to police accounts, the catastrophe unfolded around 5:40 am when one of the lorries traveling from Eldoret to Nakuru experienced brake failure. The out-of-control lorry collided head-on with the Toyota van, causing devastating consequences. The van, en route to Kisii, was propelled onto a stalled trailer in the aftermath of the collision, compounding the severity of the incident.
Tragically, the driver of the lorry fled the scene, intensifying efforts by authorities to apprehend the individual responsible. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident are ongoing as authorities endeavor to piece together the sequence of events leading to the tragedy.
In a separate incident the previous evening, six lives were lost in the Duka Moja area along the Kericho-Nakuru highway. Reports indicate that the accident involved a collision between a lorry and a private car. The collision, described as head-on, occurred when a Probox vehicle, carrying an unspecified number of passengers, attempted to overtake a line of vehicles and collided with the oncoming lorry.
Area traffic commandant, Dorothy Muleke, emphasized the importance of caution, particularly in adverse weather conditions. She urged drivers to exercise vigilance on the roads, especially amidst the prevailing rainy conditions, in a bid to mitigate the risk of further tragedies.
The recent spate of accidents underscores broader concerns regarding road safety in the region. Factors such as speeding and reckless driving have been cited as significant contributors to the alarming frequency of such incidents. Calls for enhanced enforcement of traffic regulations and greater public awareness campaigns aimed at promoting responsible driving have grown louder in the wake of these tragedies.
As communities reel from the loss of loved ones and authorities grapple with the aftermath, there is a collective call for concerted efforts to address the root causes of road accidents. The imperative to prioritize road safety measures has never been more urgent, as each loss serves as a stark reminder of the profound human toll exacted by preventable tragedies on Kenya’s highways.