NTSA sleeping on the job, Mututho says

The Transport Licensing Appeals Board Chairman John Mututho has lashed out at the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) for “sleeping on the job”.

Speaking in Nakuru, Mututho criticised the authority for focusing on the use of alco-blow and speed guns, which he says have not been of much help in curbing road carnage.

He blamed increased cases of road accidents on NTSA saying it is not installing enough road signs that are important guides for motorists who are not familiar with certain routes, adding that the roadblocks in the country should be reduced to curb corruption.

The TLAB chair further urged road users to forward their complaints to the tribunal, promising that he would ensure that all cases handled by the board will be handled electronically and openly to ensure justice for all.

Mututho accused traffic police officers of neglecting their duty, thereby making the roads unsafe for motorists.

He noted that long distance truck drivers have contributed to over 70 percent of road accidents on the highways due to the fancy lights mounted on the trucks.

He expressed regret that although billions have been spent in improving the road network, little has been realised in terms of reducing road carnage.

This comes just one day after five people, including three children, were killed in two grisly road accidents in Kakamega County.

Confirming the incidents, Western Region Traffic Commandant Geoffrey Njogu told Citizen Digital that the first accident involved a motorbike and a bus and claimed two lives, while the second accident involved a saloon car.

Mr Njogu said that in the first accident the motorbike was hit by a bus at Muraka Centre along the Kakamega-Kisumu road, killing the two on the spot.

Eyewitnesses told Citizen Digital that the bus and the motorbike were both headed to Kakamega when the accident occurred, adding that the woman’s body was dragged for about 200 metres by the bus before it stopped.

The driver and conductor of the bus escaped soon after the accident.

The residents are now appealing to authorities to put bumps on the road, saying the spot has claimed many lives.

In the second accident, three children were hit by a saloon car at Emuchenje Shopping Centre along the Sigalagala-Bukura Road.

Njogu warned drivers to be careful while driving during this rainy season.

The bodies of the deceased were taken to Kakamega Mortuary.