President Kenyatta blames Naivasha tragedy on haphazard bumps

President Uhuru Kenyatta has blamed the Naivasha road accident that claimed 41 lives on poor workmanship and erection of bumps without adequate signage.

Addressing the public during this year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations at the Nyayo National Stadium, President Kenyatta said that it was wrong for the transport ministry to erect speed bumps that were not visible to road users.

“Erecting bumps where people can’t see without adequate signage should stop. You must admit that was a mistake,” he said.

“If you want to erect speed bumps you must make them visible, not just waking up one day and putting speed bumps where people can’t see.”

The president who had begun the meeting by observing a moment of silence for the victims and families affected by Saturday’s tragic road accident at Naivasha urged Kenyans to be careful on the roads during this festive season.

He noted that the reason the government was building roads was to ensure that the economy flourishes and to help Kenyans, not harm them.

“We don’t want to build roads to kill our people, we want to build roads to help people and build our economy,” he said.

President Kenyatta’s sentiments come just a day after Transport Publuc Secretary Irungu Nyakera admitted that the spot where Saturda’s fire disaster took place lacked adequate signage.

Irungu also noted that the bumps erected at the spot might be too sharp for the road’s gradient, adding that they would review the design.

Soon after the accident, Kenyans took to social media to castigate the transport ministry for the erection of the bumps, with some pointing out that it was reported severally that they were a disaster waiting to happen.

The accident at Karai in Naivasha occurred after a lorry transporting highly flammable chemicals hit a bump and lost control, hitting on-coming vehicles before exploding.

Following the disastrous crash, 41 people lost their lives, with the latest victim succumbing to his injuries at the Kenyatta National Hospital Monday morning.