Kenya is mourning after a series of tragic road accidents this week. Early on Saturday morning, August 9, eight people lost their lives in a serious crash involving a matatu and a lorry. The accident happened on KitengelaβIsinya Road near Korompoi.
The matatu and the lorry crashed head-on. The front of the matatu was badly damaged, showing how strong the crash was. Emergency workers quickly rushed to the scene to help those who were hurt. But angry local people blocked the road. They were upset and demanded that the government do more to make the roads safer. Until the police arrived, it was not clear how the crash happened. Drivers were told to avoid the area as rescue work continued.
Sadly, this accident was not the only one that caused many deaths this week. On Friday evening, a bus carrying mourners overturned near the Coptic Roundabout on the Kisumu-Kakamega highway. At least 25 people died in that crash. The bus was travelling from Kakamega to Kisumu when the driver lost control near a dangerous spot known as a blackspot. The bus went off the road and fell into a ditch.
Many of the people died right away at the crash site. Some were taken to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, but four more died shortly after arriving. The hospital is now treating 28 people who were hurt in the accident, including one child. Health workers have been called in from different places to help care for the injured.
Earlier in the week, another terrible accident happened near Morendat Farm in Naivasha. Eight people died when a bus collided with a train. Most of the victims were workers from the Kenya Pipeline Company. The bus driver did not stop or check before crossing the railway line. The train hit the bus and dragged it for more than 200 meters. The crash caused a lot of damage and many lives were lost.
These accidents have made the country sad and worried. President William Ruto spoke about the crashes on Saturday. He urged traffic officers to act quickly and find those responsible for any careless driving or breaking the law. He said road safety must be taken very seriously. The President also sent his condolences to the families who lost loved ones.
βThis is a time for us to remember that every life lost on our roads is a tragedy. We must do more to protect our people,β President Ruto said.
He asked all drivers to be careful and to follow traffic rules.
The government has said it will work hard to prevent more accidents like these. There will be stricter checks on drivers and vehicles. Officials want to make sure that people who break road rules are punished.
Many Kenyans agree that more must be done to improve road safety. Careless driving, speeding, and bad roads are often the main causes of accidents. Families suffer when a loved one is lost in a crash that could have been avoided.
The emergency teams continue working around the clock to help injured people and clear the roads. Communities affected by the accidents are asking for better road signs, more police patrols, and safer road designs. They want the government to act fast before more lives are lost.
Featured image via Screengrab