Residents block road over Makueni crash where 11 people perished

Transport was paralyzed along the Kikima- Tawa road on Thursday after residents came out to block a section of the road where 11 people perished in a grisly road accident on Wednesday.

The angry residents are protesting what they term as negligence by road authorities and security agencies. They term the area a black spot, saying several accidents have taken place on the same spot yet nothing has been done to arrest the situation.

They also blame the local authorities for allowing an overloaded matatu to ply the route.

Over 500 protestors barricaded the road using stones and lit fires using tyres, overwhelming security officers who numbered about 30. Motorists using the road have now been forced to use the Tawa-Mumbuni road.

Speaking at the scene, Road Safety Association of Kenya Chairman David Njoroge called on Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to take action against police officers at Kikima Police Station for allowing an overloaded matatu to ferry passengers.

Further, Njoroge said that the Road Safety Association of Kenya would sue the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) if they do not change the design of the road, which has been blamed for the accident.

He urged members of the public to speak out when bundled in overloaded vehicles while also calling on authorities to work together to ensure road safety for all.

The accident occurred when a 14-seater matatu veered off the road and plunged into a ditch at Kwasolo, along the Kikima-Tawa road. Nine people died on the spot while two others succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment. Eleven others are nursing injuries at Tawa Hospital.

According to Mbooni West OCPD James Baraza, the 14-seater matatu was heading towards Kikima Town from Machakos Town. Eyewitnesses say the vehicle was speeding when the driver lost control and plunged into the ditch.