Uhuru, DP Ruto, Raila mourn Kericho bus accident victims, call for action

President Uhuru Kenyatta, DP William Ruto and opposition chief Raila Odinga have led the nation in mourning the loss of lives after the grisly road accident that occurred at Fort Ternan area on the Kisumu – Muhoroni highway.

The leaders condoled with families and friends who lost their loved ones during the Wednesday morning accident whose death toll currently stands at 50.

Taking to Twitter, the leaders also called for action to prevent any future such accidents, further urging drivers to exercise caution.

The Head of State said: “My heartfelt condolences to the families of fellow Kenyans who lost their lives in a tragic road accident at Fort Ternan in Kericho County this morning and wish those in hospital quick recovery.”

My heartfelt condolences to the families of fellow Kenyans who lost their lives in a tragic road accident at Fort Ternan in Kericho County this morning and wish those in hospital quick recovery.

— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) October 10, 2018

As authorities investigate the cause of the accident with a view of taking action, I would like to remind drivers to always exercise caution to avoid such catastrophic incident.

— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) October 10, 2018

“The nation is united in grief following the tragic road crash involving a bus at Fort Ternan, Kericho County. We condole with the affected families and wish quick recovery to the injured,” wrote the Deputy President.

“PSV companies must adhere to road safety rules; ensure their drivers are not fatigued and administer refresher driving courses to staff.”

The nation is united in grief following the tragic road crash involving a bus at Fort Ternan, Kericho County. We condole with the affected families and wish quick recovery to the injured.

— William Samoei Ruto (@WilliamsRuto) October 10, 2018

PSV companies must adhere to road safety rules; ensure their drivers are not fatigued and administer refresher driving courses to staff.

— William Samoei Ruto (@WilliamsRuto) October 10, 2018

Mr. Odinga, on his part, wrote: “I send my deepest condolences to the friends and families who have lost their loved ones in the horrific accident that occurred at Fort Tenan.

“May the souls of all the departed rest in eternal peace. I appeal to police officers to arrest the return of madness on our roads.”

I send my deepest condolences to the friends and families who have lost their loved ones in the horrific accident that occurred at Fort Tenan. May the souls of all the departed rest in eternal peace. I appeal to police officers to arrest the return of madness on our roads.

— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) October 10, 2018

In a statement to newsrooms, Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi joined his fellow leaders passing condolence messages, further stating that the scene of the accident is a known blackspot that remains unmanned even as accidents at the spot continue to rise.

“Part of the problem at the blackspot is poor road design. The road snakes dangerously through winding steep slopes, while the tunnel flyover is a death trap,” wrote Mudavadi.

The National Super Alliance (NASA) co-principal blamed traffic enforcement agencies for road carnages saying they are “not anymore about saving lives but enclaves for collecting bribes.”

He added: “The situation has been made worse by uncertainty and instability in the structure of the traffic police. It is not clear whether the traffic management still exists as a unit within the police department after indications it was scrapped. Traffic management is a specialised field and opening it to all police officers untrained in traffic administration is courting danger on our roads.”

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko also cautioned drivers of Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) to obey traffic rules to avoid such incidents.

I convey my deepest sympathies & heartfelt condolences to the families & friends of 50 passengers who perished in a road accident involving a bus at Tunnel flyover on the Londiani-Muhoroni Highway. I want caution PSV drivers to always observe traffic rules to avoid such incidents pic.twitter.com/bYcFysexlP

— Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) October 10, 2018