A Minibus carrying 46 passengers was involved in a harrowing accident on Wednesday, April 10, in the Kibwezi area of Makueni County.
According to preliminary reports, the shuttle lost control and rolled into a nearby river.
Fortunately, quick response from residents led to successful rescue operations, with many passengers safely evacuated from the wreckage.
While some sustained injuries, there were no reported fatalities.
Eyewitnesses revealed that this wasn’t the first time the shuttle had been involved in an accident along the same highway as it had also lost control and plunged into the same river in 2023 December.
Images circulated widely on social media depict the shuttle leaning on one side, surrounded by onlookers as rescue efforts unfolded.
The extent of the accident was evident in the deformed sides of the bus and its broken rear windshield.
Road Accident Fatalities
The country has unfortunately seen a string of tragic accidents in recent times.
Benedict Musyoka Mbalu, the son of Kibwezi East Member of Parliament Jessica Mbalu, tragically lost his life in a road accident in Nairobi.
Another devastating accident occurred on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway involving a bus, a tractor, and a long-distance truck.
The collision led to the loss of five lives and left several others injured. A bus hit a tractor, causing it to veer off the road and collide with an oncoming truck.
This incident occurred in Kambu area of Kibwezi.
Also Read: 6 Killed in Another Night Accident on Major Highway
Government Actions to Address Surge in Road Accidents
In response to the alarming increase in fatal road accidents across the country, Kenya’s Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, has declared the situation a national catastrophe, demanding unified efforts to combat it.
Highlighting the gravity of the issue, Murkomen disclosed that over the past two decades, an average of 3,800 lives has been lost annually due to road accidents.
“In the past 20 years, we have been losing an average of 3,800 people annually. Many of these accidents are attributed to reckless driving and lack of respect for pedestrians. Others are caused by overloading and drunken driving,” he said.
He attributed many of these incidents to reckless driving, disregard for pedestrian safety, overloading, and driving under the influence.
To tackle this crisis, the Ministry of Transport has initiated collaborative measures with traffic police officers and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to enforce road safety regulations more effectively.
Measures to Curb Road Carnage
Murkomen further outlined several key strategies to address the issue comprehensively.
First, the Ministry plans to introduce digital speed cameras and instant fines for Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) flouting traffic laws.
These fines will be delivered directly to the motorist’s mobile phones, leveraging technology to curb errant behavior on the roads.
Moreover, the CS announced the forthcoming gazettement of new guidelines governing school transport, particularly in light of recent accidents involving students from Chavakali High School, Kabsabet Boys, and Kenyatta University.
The aim, Murkomen says is to ensure the safety of students during their commute.
In addition, the Ministry intends to reintroduce drink-driving tests, pending parliamentary approval for the return of alco-blow technology.
NTSA will collaborate closely with traffic police in enforcing these measures.
Also Read: Ex-Roads Minister Defends Murkomen Over Rise in Accidents; Lists Who to Blame
Furthermore, the government plans to employ vehicular telematics to monitor vehicle management, starting with school buses.
“We are going to employ technology to monitor how vehicles are managed starting with school buses which will be fitted with vehicular telematics,” he said.
This technological solution aims to enhance accountability and safety standards.
Murkomen emphasized the seriousness of the issue, expressing concern over the rising number of lives lost in road accidents each year.
“The government is already piloting speed cameras on various roads across the country and implementing instant fines for traffic violations,” said Murkomen.
