Raila urges safer road designs after Kisumu tragedy
ODM party leader Raila Odinga has called for urgent reforms in road design and safety measures following the fatal Kisumu road crash that claimed 26 lives.
Speaking on Saturday, August 16, 2025, during the burial of the victims of the Kisumu -Kakamega highway road tragedy in Koguta, Nyakach, Raila described the incident as deeply heartbreaking and preventable.
Flowers of the earth
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Raila lamented the loss of 26 young residents in the accident, noting the emotional toll on families and the community.
“When an old person like me dies, people say it is okay because he has lived his life. But when young people die, it is like the flowers of the earth being destroyed, and that makes it very painful,” he said.
The ODM leader faulted the Mamboleo roundabout’s design, arguing that engineering mistakes contributed directly to the crash.
He recalled his own near-death experience 50 years ago when his vehicle lost brakes on a steep hill near Kisumu.
Raila survived because the Mamboleo roundabout did not exist then. “I was the one driving, and when our vehicle’s brakes failed, I steered, and the next stop we made was at Kondele. I could have died, but we survived because that roundabout was not there,” he said.
Call for nationwide reforms
Raila welcomed the government’s swift action to demolish the controversial roundabout, which residents found replaced with piles of soil overnight.
“I am happy to hear that action has already been taken to demolish that roundabout. This shows that the government has listened and acted quickly,” he said.
The former prime minister urged authorities to use the tragedy as a wake-up call to rethink road safety standards across Kenya.
He emphasised that proper road planning, monitoring, and maintenance are critical to preventing similar incidents. “
We must always ensure our roads are safe so that we do not continue losing lives in such tragedies,” Raila added.
The accident involved a bus ferrying mourners to a funeral, colliding with a trailer at the Mamboleo roundabout last week.
Apart from the 26 fatalities, another 26 survivors are receiving treatment at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.
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William Muthama
William Muthama is a digital journalist with a focus on entertainment, human interest, and current affairs. Share stories: [email protected]/ [email protected]
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