Three matatus collided at Gilgil Weighbridge along the Nakuru–Naivasha Highway on the evening of Thursday, June 27, 2024, resulting in 20 people being injured.
The accident caused significant disruption along the busy highway, with emergency services rushing to the scene to provide aid.
In a statement confirming the accident, the Kenya Red Cross noted that their team was en route to the scene.
“A road traffic incident involving three matatus has been reported at the Gilgil Weighbridge in Nakuru County. Our response team is en route to the scene,” the Red Cross said in a statement.
The cause of the collision remains unknown, and authorities are conducting further investigation.
Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen on Road Accident
Speaking on May 20, Murkomen attributed the increased number of accidents to recklessness, maintaining that the government will roll out stringent measures to tame road crashes.
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Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has been under pressure since the beginning of the year due to traffic accidents.
The CS stated that pedestrians, especially those in big cities, bear the biggest brunt of road deaths.
He further emphasized that the government is working round the clock to ensure road safety, including the installation of speed cameras and getting the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to crack down on unroadworthy vehicles and irresponsible motorists.
“As a Ministry we are doing everything possible, including the privatization of motor vehicle inspection, installation of speed cameras and getting NTSA to crack down on unroadworthy vehicles and irresponsible motorists” Murkomen stated.
He further explained that the ministry was going after rogue drivers to reduce road accidents. “We are reining in errant drivers,” he added.
Statistics on Road Accident
Road safety remains a critical issue globally, with the World Health Organization estimating over 1.35 million deaths annually due to road traffic accidents.
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The report also stated that road traffic accident had fallen slightly and the efforts to improve road safety had a positive impact and that significant reductions in road traffic deaths could be made if proven measures are applied.
Furthermore, road traffic injuries remain the leading killer of children and young people aged 5-29 years with more than half of the fatalities occurring among pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
“More than half of fatalities occur among pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, in particular those living in low and middle-income countries,” the report read.
In October 2023, NTSA unveiled the National Road Safety Action Plan (2023-2027) which aims to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in severe injuries and deaths.
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