Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has addressed a concerning incident involving reckless driving of a Mercedes Benz captured on camera along the Mombasa Road.
The white Mercedes Benz KCX 959B class E-250 captured in a video of one minute and eight seconds prompted the CS to direct his attention towards the vehicle’s owner.
CS Murkomen in a statement on Monday, April 21 signaled a call for accountability amidst growing concerns over road safety.
“Mr. James Gathogo Njeri, this is how your car, white Mercedes Benz KCX 959B class E-250, was being driven on Mombasa Road in one of those ‘where is the Minister’ moments,” he posed.
“We are concerned, and a responsible citizen has alerted us. We shall do what we must.”
Murkomen to Take Action on the Reckless Mercedes Car Driver
In a video seen by The Kenya Times, two passengers were hanging on both sides of the car doors while throwing their hands up in the air.
Voices from the background could be heard warning them that they might fall off the Mercedes and die.
“Do you have brains. You will die. You will fall down,” a woman’s voice is heard speaking.
However, users on X have also joined the CS in blaming the vice, stating that responsibility should start with the citizens, and not blaming the government every time.
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“Use them as a very stern and firm example. A fine of not less than a million should suffice if there is no provision by law for penalties to be charged. Revocation of the license shouldn’t be debatable,” Korir Evans an X user said.
Samwel Wekesa stated, “I’ve always insisted that it’s our reckless drivers who cost us lives. Be careful while on the road.”
Increased Road Accidents
Earlier this month, ten people died on the spot in a gruesome road accident involving five vehicles at Salama along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.
According to data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) road accidents across the country have claimed at least 1,189 lives since the beginning of the year.
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This is an increase of 60 deaths compared to 1,129 recorded in the same period in 2023.
“Since the year started 7,198 Kenyans have been involved in road accidents, marking an increase of 1,908 compared to last year, 3,316 were seriously injured and 2,693 suffered from minor injuries,” NTSA said.
In 2023, crashes caused 1,129 deaths, seriously injuring 2,435 individuals, and resulting in at least 1,726 minor injuries.
Besides, 2,693 have been slightly injured in 2024, a 56% increase on the 1,726 recorded in the first three months of 2023.
