Exercise caution to prevent road crashes, Kenyans told

By Peter Ochieng

Kenyans have been urged to exercise caution so as to prevent road crashes, ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities.

In a press statement issued on Friday, Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi said that every one – from drivers to passengers must take responsibility to prevent crashes.

Mudavadi who doubles up as acting Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Interior and National Administration said that this year has so far witnessed more fatalities as a result of road crashes, compared to 2023.

“Records indicate that this year has seen more fatalities and serious injuries among motorcyclists, pillion passengers, and pedestrians, some of which were preventable,” he said.

“Between January and November, we have lost 4,047 people, compared to 3,726 during the same period last year. There have been a total of 20,369 accidents, compared to 19,262 in 2023. Among these accidents, there were 10,124 serious injuries, up from 9,059 last year.”

The statement comes in the wake of a grisly crash that occurred at Iguhu Bridge along the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway, on Wednesday, where 10 people died on the spot, before 3 others died while receiving treatment.

“As we approach the festive season, I urge all road users to exercise extra caution and vigilance to ensure the safety of all,” added the Prime CS.

Mudavadi urged motorists to ensure that they drive carefully, and public service Vehicles (PSV) adhere to road safety rules, besides ensuring that their vehicles are compliant and roadworthy.

He, under the same breadth, instructed all traffic police officers to ensure that all PSVs are roadworthy and are driven safely.

“They must ensure that all the PSV on the road have the registered name of the Sacco/Company/Institution, have inspection status and operate from their licensed routes. Also important is that each PSV must have a valid road service licence.”