3 Eastern Bypass Issues Govt Must Address After Grisly Accident
The newly-expanded road has come with its series of flaws, exposed by Kenyans in form of black spots and red flags in its advice to motorists using the road.
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On Sunday, October 30, Kenyans were woken up angered by reports of a drunk driver causing an accident along the Eastern Bypass near Kamakis in Nairobi County that was believed to have killed six people.
A viral clip surfaced showing the drunk driver being confronted by a number of bystanders who accused him of ramming into a matatu leading to the deaths while driving under the influence. It also showed that one of the vehicles involved in the incident had turned upside down while the front end of the 14-seater matatu was left in the wreckage.
Reports further indicated that an 11-year-old child was among those who lost their lives. Witnesses told the press that the Prado also hit two bystanders who were near the scene of the accident before stopping next to a car wash.
A drunk driver who rammed into a matatu and tuk-tuk at Kamakis on Sunday, October 30, 2022. /KBC DIGITAL
The drunk driver escaped death by a whisker when he was saved by the airbags deployed after the crash. Police officers saved him from an angry crowd who rushed to the scene, baying for his blood.
The newly-expanded road has come with its series of flaws, exposed by Kenyans in form of black spots and red flags in its advice to motorists using the road. This is as they pressured the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to urgently address the following design flaws masquerading as death traps:
Designs and Markings
Kenyans faulted the failure of different road authorities responsible for managing the road running from Nairobi-Mombasa Road to Ruiru-Kiambu Road near Kamiti Maximum Security Prison to address the laxity of implementing safety measures such as U-turns along the road.
Others blamed the entities for their failure to erect speed bumps and underpasses to enhance the safety of motorists using the road.
"The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) or the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), whoever is responsible for Eastern Bypass. Kindly address the issue of 'U-turns'. In fact, the designer(s) and Engineer(s) should be held responsible for all the accidents happening now and in the future,” stated Samm Alpha.
“Eastern bypass is a disaster, the worst road in design. In fact, those U-turns are just but black spots."
“I have repeatedly said that Kamakis bypass needs bumps and underpasses otherwise how the turns are designed is a death trap. The contractor is almost leaving the site,” other comments read.
Others raised concerns regarding the failure to address markings and lanes that end abruptly, posing a risk to motorists along the road.
Drunk Driving and Recklessness
Other Kenyans however turned their blame on drunk drivers and reckless motorists driving in a manner that warrants accidents.
To be specific, the Eastern Bypass around Kamakis is dotted with bars stretching to the junction of Thika Road and during the weekends, they are heavily occupied with revellers who have driven there, thus drunk drivers are common and caution is advised along the road, especially on weekends.
“The cops know where all the revellers go to. Mombasa road, Kiambu road, Eastern bypass et al. It would make sense to have Alcoblows near these joints, as many as possible. Why can’t they do that to stop drunk driving?” Manuskii wondered.
“Eastern Bypass around Kamakis is full of drunkards and you must remain alert at all times even as a pedestrian,” remarked Reuben Ewoton.
“Perhaps, if drunk driving is made a capital offence, motorists shall become sober on the road and grisly accidents like that which happened in Kamakis easily avoided. Drive safe, arrive safely!” Kipkoech Mitei noted.
Others questioned the misplaced bumps along the stretch, arguing that they are meant to be erected near designated crossing points common with many people, just like along Thika Road.
Government Statistics
But the biggest headache for the government to solve is the appalling statistics by NTSA and the National Police Service (NPS).
Police spokesperson Bruno Shioso noted that between January 1, 2022, and September 26, 2022, a total of 15,924 victims of road crashes across the country have been recorded with 3,541 victims fatally injured and 7,236 persons seriously injured. 5,147 victims were slightly injured.
The number of fatalities this year is compared to 3,286 who perished in the same period a year, thus representing a 7.8 per cent increase.
"From our assessment, the increase was mainly attributed to preventable and predictable factors. Non-usage of seat belts by commuters, driver behaviour such as speeding leading to loss of control in high occupancy vehicles and poor mechanical condition of vehicles resulting in brake failures and tyre bursts were some of the noted causes," Shioso noted in part on Wednesday, September 28.
Roads in Nairobi were flagged by the NTSA as the most dangerous in the country and the Eastern Bypass was ranked the sixth most dangerous road at the end of 2021 with 24 deaths behind Outering, Thika Super Highway, Waiyaki Way, Mombasa Road and the Northern Bypass.
The Northern Bypass claimed its latest victim on Monday, October 31, former Laikipia senatorial aspirant Steve Chege.
