Seven people die on roads even as NTSA is recalled onto highways
James Waindi and Kirera Mwiti
At least seven people died in two separate accidents in the last 24 hours, just days after Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i directed the return of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on the roads.
Four persons died on the spot on Tuesday night after a Toyota Probox was involved in a head on collision with a Kenya Bus Service (KBS) bus at the notorious Reflector Stage in Kamulu, Nairobi County.
Three others died yesterday morning following a head on collision involving a pick-up and a Ugandan truck at Marula farm, on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
A surge in accidents has necessitated the return of NTSA officers on the roads after President Uhuru Kenyatta in January last year directed that they be withdrawn and ordered that traffic police officers take over duties on highways.
Last evening, NTSA director general Francis Meja said the authority will only provide necessary support to the National Police Service (NPS) to effectively enforce traffic rules. “NTSA will not be going back on the roads to undertake any enforcement activities,” he said.
Last week, Matiang’i directed NTSA to join traffic police department in a new crackdown on reckless drivers. At least 2,326 people have been reported to have died on roads in the last 12 months and the figure is expected to go higher.
Elsewhere in Maella, Naivasha, a six-year-old girl was killed by flash floods following heavy rains that pounded the region on Tuesday evening. The body of the minor was recovered by area residents on Wednesday morning in Moi Ndabi area 15kms from the scene of the incident.
