Kenya remembers victims of road accidents

Kenya on Sunday joined the world in remembering victims of road accidents during the international day of remembrance of road accident victims.

The National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) led stakeholders in the transport industry and members of the public to mark the day at Uhuru Park, Nairobi where relatives and friends of people who lost their lives through road accidents took the time to remember their loved ones.

“We all use the roads, it’s because of this that these people today are grieving,” said one of the people at the event.

NTSA, during the occasion, launched a road safety app, which is available for download in mobile app stores.

The national road safety body assured Kenyans that it is committed to making roads safe for all users, adding that it has partnered with various organisations to train drivers on safe road use as well as first aid skills.

So far, NTSA in conjunction with St John’s Ambulance has trained 651 drivers plying Mombasa-Nairobi highway on a number of road safety measures including; how to deal with victims of accidents, substance and drug abuse, attitude change among others.

NTSA has also collaborated with international labour organisations to educate drivers on international labour laws, and train them on how to handle fatigue.

Matatu Welfare Association chairperson, Dickson Mbugua, asked players in the sector to support NTSA in its endeavour to make roads safe.

John Macharia, representing Matatu Owners Association, said that Matatu owners would cooperate with other bodies in the sector to streamline the business and bring the accident rate to zero.

The day of remembrance for road traffic victims is commemorated annually on the third Sunday of November to remember people injured or killed in road accidents, their families, friends and road emergency service providers.