Traffic along the busy Eldoret–Nakuru highway was brought to a standstill on Tuesday, September 16, as angry residents near Burnt Forest barricaded the road to protest the deteriorating state of feeder roads and the collapse of a key bridge.
The blockade, which began early in the morning near the Bayete area, stranded hundreds of motorists for more than six hours, sparking widespread frustration.
The unrest follows a similar protest just a day in Chepareria, West Pokot County, where residents blocked the Kitale–Lodwar road, part of the same corridor, over related concerns.
The consecutive disruptions have paralyzed transport on the key A1 highway, a major trade and travel route in western Kenya.
On X, MP Wafula Wamunyinyi condemned the government’s inaction and shared photos of the blocked road.
“Nakuru-Eldoret highway shut down at Burnt Forest-Bayete! Furious residents block the highway over the horrific conditions of interior roads, trapping motorists for 6+ hrs. Threats to burn vehicles if the police act. This volatile region needs immediate action!” he posted.
By the time of publication, there was no official response from the Ministry of Transport or area administrators.
Kitale–Lodwar Road Protests
On September 15, residents of Kapseret staged a demonstration along the Eldoret-Nakuru Highway, demanding justice for a boy who was struck by a speeding vehicle.
The protest was prompted by the tragic death of the 14-year-old boy who was hit on Thursday evening near the Southern Bypass, between Lobo Hotel and Cheplasgei in Eldoret City.
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Acting Police Commander Patrick Wekesa said the incident occurred at approximately 7:10 pm when an unknown vehicle travelling towards Cheplasgei collided with the boy, killing him instantly.
Wekesa reported that the hit-and-run vehicle, driven by an unidentified driver, was traveling at high speed when it struck Fredy Mwange while he was walking on the left side of the road.
“Upon receiving a report that someone had been struck by a speeding car, our officers rushed to the scene and found the body of the minor lying in a pool of blood,” Wekesa stated.
Accident Report in Kenya 2025
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) report showed that 5,856 people were involved in road crashes between January 1 and March 31.
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NTSA noted that the figures show a decrease of 1,908 cases compared to the same period in 2024.
Out of this, 1,139 people lost their lives, 3,316 individuals sustained serious injuries, while 2,693 suffered minor injuries.
Road crashes claimed 420 pedestrian lives in the first quarter of 2025, making them the most vulnerable road users, though the figure dropped from 434 in the same period last year.
Various crashes also killed 189 passengers and 83 drivers, both numbers lower than the 243 passengers and 94 drivers who died in 2024.
However, motorcycle crashes claimed more lives, with 301 motorcyclists dying, up from 274 the previous year.
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