At least 65 dead in 72 hours on killer Kenyan roads

A shocking 65 people have lost their lives within the last 72 hours in just four accidents across the country.

This means that December may just be the bloodiest and deadliest month of the year when it comes to accidents. The month that many joyously look forward to through the year has turned into one full of tears.

We may not have all the statistics on road accidents which means more than 65 may have perished on our roads in the last three days.

As expected, NTSA and the police are always talking tough and promising to reign in accidents but this is usually just regurgitated speeches that lie waiting for the next major accident.

The go-to solution whenever an accident happens is erecting road bumps or calls for more fines for those who flout road rules. Such lazy thinking.

While collective responsibility has to be taken into account, police and NTSA must step up, punish errant drivers to save the many innocent road users who are always caught up and end up paying the ultimate price.

Here is a compilation of the three deadliest accidents…

December 12

Police report that at least 15 people died following a multiple car crash at the dreaded Sachangwan area on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway.

Reports indicate that a truck driver heading to Nakuru was being pursued by National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) officials when he lost control of the truck and hit oncoming vehicles; a Modern Coast bus, four Nissan Matatus, a truck and several other private vehicles.

Many eyewitnesses contradict the police number saying the number was “definitely higher.”

December 11

At least 19 people died in a gruesome road accident which occurred on Monday night at the Kamukuywa Bridge black spot on the Webuye-Kitale highway.

Confirming the accident, Bungoma North OCPD Eliud Okello said they were traveling to Webuye from Kitale in a 14-seater matatu, which rammed into the rear of a tractor transporting sugarcane killing 13 on the spot. Five more died while undergoing treatment.

12 of the dead were people of the same family.

Seven musicians from the popular Kenene international band, a well known Kalenjin music group, died on Saturday night in a grisly road accident at Maraba near Total along Nakuru-Eldoret highway.

The seven, five men and two women, perished after the Toyota Probox they were travelling in collided head-on with truck heading to Nakuru at around 7.30pm. The probox was headed to Hill tea, Timboroa.

December 9

23 people died while several others were injured after an Administration Police truck they were travelling in was involved in an accident at Moinonin along the Marigat-Loruk road in Tiaty, Baringo County on Saturday.

Among those who died on the spot are; three men, 10 women and a child.