Agencies to fix speed governors for free
Stakeholders in the transport sector yesterdaay called on Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) to refit their automobiles with speed limiting gadgets in a new move to curb road carnage.
A meeting by road safety associations, speed governor fitters and Government representatives in Ruiru, Kiambu County resolved to recall all PSVs and heavy commercial trucks for free refitting of speed limiters across the country.
During the meeting, chairman of Speed Governor and Road Safety Association Edward Gitonga expressed concern over rising road accident fatalities caused by speeding, which he said is currently claiming 30 lives daily.
The development comes as the most recent accident claimed six lives after a 14-seater matatu carrying a gas cylinder burst into flames when it collided with a private car in Yatta area in Machakos County along the Kithimani-Matuu road last week.
Several other occupants of the ill-fated matatu, which was travelling from Mwingi towards Thika, were rushed to Matuu Level Four Hospital with various burns. Two others were admitted in critical condition following the crash at the spot known by locals as ‘Kwa Majini’ bridge. Gitonga said they resolved to move swiftly to contain the situation, noting that if the trend continues unchecked, more lives would be lost on the road. “We can no longer sit and watch as road carnage continues to soar. That is why we came together and resolved to have all PSVs and heavy commercial trucks recalled,” Gitonga said.
He appealed to owners of PSVs and trucks above three tons to cooperate and have their vehicles refitted with the gadgets for free in an exercise scheduled to take one-and-a half months.
Safety measures
Gitonga also said a multi-agency team comprising National Transport and Safety Authority and Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has been formed to ensure safety measures are observed.
Road Safety Association chairperson David Kiarie said tamper-proof gadgets will be fitted in PSVs to ensure they do not go beyond the 80-kilometers per hour speed limit.
Kiarie blamed some rogue contractors for compromising road safety by failing to erect the requisite signs, adding that his team had raised the matter with KeNHA for necessary action. Incidentally, the Yatta accident occurred moments before residents staged a demonstration to protest delay in completing the bridge, which they blamed for a series of accidents.
Irate villagers, led by local politicians, blocked the road for more than two hours causing a major traffic snarl-up.
Annastacia Muendo, a parliamentary aspirant for Yatta constituency, said construction of the bridge has taken more than two years, yet it was scheduled to be completed in six months.
“We are giving the contractor a month to complete the project failure to which we demand he vacates the site,” Muendo said.
