By Collins Onyango
A recent shocking accident that occurred after a transit brakes’ failure at Londian business center on Nakuru-Eldoret road, will indeed take time for victims to forget about it.
Much has been said on how such incidents can be cracked down and as usual, the government has promised to make changes especially in bus terminals.
It’s a regret to know that all these proposals are being made when there have been concerned department that assures Kenyans safety on road.
I feel the action to relocate hawkers along the road is not necessary and I have a reason!
Every time there have been tragic accidents, government officials come out to talk about it.
But they go in silence a few days later – until the occurrence of the other accident.
It’s an open secret over our weaknesses and challenges we face as nation on our determination to fight for road safety and calamities.
For example, 48 people died on May 9, 2018, after Solai Dam, in Nakuru County broke its banks. Following this accident, many looked at who would be responsible for the deaths and losses; important yes! But there was need of investigating on safety of dams in our country.
This incident was to be the one to open our eyes and give directions on how to build Dams and protect the residents living around and near them.
Act in anger
On our roads, Londian accident is among many other accidents that have been reported. It’s not not enough for NTSA to give a total of those who succumbed on road accidents in a certain year and compare it with last year, when we know very well some of these accident could have been avoided.
It’s through this opinion when we acknowledge the action of verifying whether those drivers are qualified to be on road or not! The actions we see being taken in anger is not worthy without consideration of its impact to the society.
During a prayer service for the Londian victims and their families, every leader said what he thought it was to be done! So to avert more road accidents.
The Speaker of National Assembly Moses Wetangula reminded Kenyans the need of transits to have at least two drivers, the same proposal we heard in October 2018 where almost 60 people on board lost their lives in a bus at Fortenan.
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen speaking at the same event reminded mourners about the accident that happened last year at Kaburengu market where 40 people lost their lives over same incident as that of Londian.
Kaburengu is known for many cases of accidents! We ask, what does the government do when an accident occurs,and, before the other one to minimize loss of lives on the road?
In most stop overs of highways in Kenya, business community uses opportunities to find their living as many travelers stop to buy commodities, and these are most known destinations.
Even those amending the law and constitution, before shifting to their recent traveling means by air they used these roads and they know where travelers stop on their way just to buy fruits and farm produce before various destination.
These markets haven’t been built till now: It’s injustice to relocate the business people along the road immediately!
It’s the government’s duty to make sure that it supports business people with small enterprises especially these ones that manifested for ‘hustlers’: a Government that its President William Ruto – was once a hawker – at his tender age.
He has to make sure that this business continues, but in a better environment.
Cameras in PSVs
There are places like Timboroa, Emali and Kivingoti which have well-managed traders’ stalls and bus parks as travelers buy farm produce while on transit.
Why Londian has no such environment is something the government should be able to explain.
CS Kipchumba Murkomen has said that all public vehicles and schools buses should be installed with CCTV cameras to monitor every single activity of drivers and their services.
It’s a brilliant thought! During the NARC regime, we had the same issue over passengers’ safety and vehicles were installed with safety belts and speed governors that are assumed nowadays by drivers.
NTSA was formed, mainly to monitor road activities that Murkomen is mentioning.
There have also been operations targeting drunkard drivers – operations that happen only at night and not for the sake of public safety but for money hunting over “weekend parties”.
These CCTVs can be installed but still fail to serve their purpose. We all know how speed governors are used for money hunting by police officers.
All these proposals made by CS Kipchumba Murkomen will succeed only if all the the involved parties cooperate.
Most importantly is to improve the black spots on our roads by construction of bumps and road signs as well as many other things that we believe those in government know about it.
