The festive season has not yet kicked off in totality but the number of road accidents already witnessed on various Kenyan roads, especially highways is alarming.
This morning, two people among them a 7-year-old baby have died while 5 others have sustained serious injuries following a road accident at Duka Moja area along the Narok-Mai Mahiu highway.
Narok police commander Thomas Ngeiywa said that the driver of a lorry going downhill lost control and rammed into the rear of a Toyota Voxy, which hit a saloon car. The saloon then hit another Toyota Voxy.
According to Narok OCPD Joseph Kisombe, the Saturday morning accident involved four vehicles near Duka Moja trading centre. Kisombe confirmed that the baby and a 40-year-old man died while receiving treatment at the Narok Referral Hospital, while the five; two of whom are in critical condition, continue to receive treatment at the facility.
Isn’t it interesting how death has no filter and can claim the life of both the young and the old?
In the wake of these road accidents, Former Chairman of the Transport and Licensing Board has now voiced his concerns and called for fresh vetting of PSV drivers.
Hassan Kamwaro said PSV drivers should also undergo medical check up every three months to ensure they are fit for the job.
“We had recommended that health inspection of such drivers be made mandatory every three months. This will include eye check-ups and tests for other conditions which may endanger the lives of passengers such as high blood pressure, diabetes among other ailments,” Kamwaro said.
Kamwaro further urged the government to implement the automated driving licences for PSVs to help curb road accidents. According to him, the automated driving licences will enable the authorities to ensure that only qualified drivers are in charge of the public vehicles.
“When I was serving as TLB board at around 2004, we came up with the proposal to have automated driving licenses with details of all the drives of public service vehicles. Currently about 50% of the PSV drivers are not qualified, leading to rampant accidents,” he said.
The former TLB boss made the remarks as he sent condolences to the families affected in Narok accident that happened this morning.
What do you think needs to be done to reduce the number of road accidents in the country?