Murkomen calls on road users to prioritise children’s safety as schools reopen amid floods
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called on all road users to prioritise children's safety as schools reopen amid heavy rains which have caused flooding across the country.
In a statement on Sunday, April 28, 2024, Murkomen urged drivers to maintain a safe distance, slow down and exercise patience in areas with heavy rain or flooding.
"As schools reopen this week, I urge all road users to exercise caution to ensure the safety of our children and other road users," Murkomen stated.
"This new term coincides with heavy rains, creating hazardous road conditions due to flooding and damaged infrastructure. Road users should not underestimate the dangers of rain and flooding, as even shallow pools can hide deep potholes or deep currents."
Schools are expected to reopen for the second term on Monday, April 29, 2024. Murkomen says drivers who endanger the lives of other road users by ignoring traffic regulations or crossing dangerous waters will be held accountable for their actions.
"Even as the Government, through the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Police, intensify enforcement of traffic rules, I encourage road users to take personal responsibility by avoiding risky behaviours such as speeding or overloading and helping to report reckless driving," he added.
Murkomen to parents
The CS has also asked parents to choose safe routes when taking their children back to school, and also coordinate with school administrators to set up safe pick-up points.
"Parents also play a key role in ensuring their children’s safety. They should choose safe routes and coordinate with school administrators to set up safe pick-up and drop-off points. They should also release children on their trips back to school early," Murkomen said.
"During this rainy season, let’s work together to ensure our roads are safer by following traffic rules, reporting unsafe behaviours and promoting safety awareness."
Wet weather to continue
The government remained adamant on schools reopening on Monday despite floods wreaking havoc in the country, causing deaths, destruction of properties and displacement of persons.
As of Saturday, the flood death toll had reached 83 after 13 more bodies were recovered.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura says the floods have also displaced 24,196 households comprising 131,450 people.
On Sunday, the Kenya Meteorological Department warned Kenyans that the heavy rainfall will continue in several parts of the country.
"Rainfall expected to persist across parts of the country. Heavy rain likely in Highlands East/West Rift Valley, Lake Victoria basin, Rift Valley, Southeast lowlands, and Northwestern Kenya," the weatherman stated on Sunday.
