Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki issued a fresh directive to police officers nationwide on Saturday, July 1, following a tragic accident at the Londiani Junction that claimed the lives of many individuals. In an effort to curb the increasing number of road accidents, Kindiki ordered the officers to intensify the enforcement of traffic rules and regulations.
In a statement, Kindiki emphasized the need for strict measures against motorists who flout traffic rules. He specifically instructed the police to pay close attention to the condition of vehicles, as it had been discovered that many Kenyans were driving defective and unroadworthy cars. The Interior Cabinet Secretary also urged all motorists to adhere to speed limits set on different highways and roads to prevent similar crashes. For example, the speed limit within town centers is capped at 50km/hr.
"The fatal road accident at Londiani Junction in Kericho County this Friday evening is a tragedy that marks a dark end to the month of June 2023," the statement read. "Police officers across the country are directed to enforce traffic rules firmly and apprehend all offenders flouting traffic rules, including but not limited to those driving defective and unroadworthy motor vehicles."
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen added that rescue operations were still ongoing at the accident site. He assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the accident, which resulted in the loss of over 50 lives.
President William Ruto expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and stressed the importance of motorists being cautious about road and weather conditions. He expressed his distress over the loss of young people with promising futures and business people who were simply going about their daily activities.
"It is distressing that some of the fatalities are young people with a promising future and business people who were on their daily chores," President Ruto stated. "We pray for the speedy recovery of all survivors; you are in our thoughts. We urge motorists to be extra cautious on roads, especially now that we are experiencing heavy rainfall."
According to the Kenya Red Cross, the Londiani Junction accident occurred when a trailer lost control and collided with six matatus. The tragic incident claimed the lives of 50 people, while over 32 individuals were admitted to various hospitals for specialized treatment.
Statistics released by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Thursday, June 29, revealed that since January 2023, a total of 2,124 Kenyans lost their lives in road accidents. The two groups that suffered the highest number of casualties were passengers, with 729 lives lost, and motorcyclists, with 561 lives lost.
The government's directive, along with the ongoing rescue operations and investigations, aims to prevent future accidents and ensure the safety of all road users in Kenya.