Grisly road accident in Kitengela claims 7 lives
Seven people have died on the spot, and others were critically injured in a grisly accident at Korompoi, Kitengela, along the Nairobi-Namanga highway, resulting in a heavy traffic snarl-up.
The accident involved a lorry and a 14-seater matatu that was heading in the direction of Kitengela from Kajiado, while the lorry was heading towards Isinya.
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According to a traffic police preliminary investigations report, the speeding lorry was overtaking another vehicle before it collided with the oncoming PSV.
Confirming the fatal accident, Isinya Sub County police commander Simon Lokitari has called on all road users to exercise caution while using the road to avert accidents.
He says cases of motorists speeding are rampant due to the assumption that the road has no heavy traffic.
“It is unfortunate that seven people have lost their lives on the spot this morning. From eyewitness accounts, the speeding lorry heading towards the Isinya direction collided with an oncoming PSV vehicle, which had passengers, resulting in a huge, deadly impact.
“The accident happened at around 7:30 am. Our traffic police rushed to the scene and evacuated those who were trapped inside, and they have been rushed to various health facilities,’’ Lokitari said.
Eyewitness accounts
According to John Keru, an eyewitness who operates a tuk-tuk, the lorry had overtaken him while speeding shortly before the accident occurred.
“The lorry overtook me and several other vehicles while hooting loudly as a sign that vehicles should pave the way. A few minutes later, I had a loud bang followed by screams before realising it was an accident involving the lorry and a matatu.
“We rushed there with other motorists to help those who were trapped inside. The matatu was full to capacity. Traffic police officers responded very first, and volunteers worked hand in hand to rescue those who were injured to rush them to health facilities,’’ Keru narrated.
Residents cry foul over the lack of speed-ups in the area labelled as a black spot.
“This area is prone to accidents; at least seven persons have been killed in the last two months. We have rogue drivers who carelessly speed. This road has a huge number of lorries ferrying goods from neighbouring Tanzania through the Namanga one-stop border.
“It is a busy road, but motorists unfamiliar with it normally assume. We also have livestock that cross the road at any point. There should be designated areas for livestock crossing as well as proper road signage to guide all users,’’ appealed Eunice Yambo, a resident of Korompoi.
Agitated locals burnt the lorry to ashes and held a protest barricading the road, demanding the erection of speed bumps and road signage.
They now appeal to the Kenya National Highway Authority (KENHA) to urgently intervene and erect speed bumps and ensure proper signage along the highway.
Residents also call on the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) and traffic officers to conduct a major crackdown on rogue road users who risk the lives of other road users.
“We want urgent intervention on addressing these rampant accidents. Hit-and-run accidents have become a common phenomenon. The agencies concerned should urgently intervene to save lives,” Ann Nduge, a resident, appealed.
Those injured are receiving treatment in various health facilities.
The bodies were moved to Shalom Community Hospital mortuary and Kitengela Sub-County Hospital funeral home awaiting identification and postmortem.
The wreckage of the two vehicles has been towed to Kitengela police station.
