On Monday, April 8, another distressing incident occurred on the Meru-Nairobi Highway as a matatu, packed with passengers, overturned near Igoju Teachers Training College in Imenti, Meru County.

Reports indicate that the matatu, operated by Menya Sacco, was en route from Mombasa to Meru when the accident transpired. Although several individuals sustained injuries, fortunately, there were no fatalities.

Prompt response from local residents facilitated the swift evacuation of the injured passengers to nearby hospitals, where they are currently undergoing treatment.

This unfortunate event follows closely on the heels of a fatal accident at Nithi Bridge in Tharaka Nithi, where four lives were tragically lost.

In light of these incidents, the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) has intensified its efforts with a nationwide crackdown on road safety. Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, addressing concerns in Narok County, emphasized the need for bolstered road safety measures, particularly due to the acute understaffing within the traffic police unit.

Assuring the public, Murkomen reiterated the commitment to reducing road accidents, with plans in place for real-time monitoring of school buses and the implementation of instant fines for reckless driving.

According to NTSA data, between January 1, 2024, and April 1, 2024, a staggering 7,198 Kenyans were involved in road accidents, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive road safety initiatives.