Murkomen Issues 9 Orders After Visiting Londiani Accident Scene

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Saturday, July 1 listed nine directives following his visit to the horrific accident scene at Londiani Junction in Kericho County.

This is as he revealed that the truck which lost control and rammed into four matatus, two lorries, a personal vehicle and a bus, leaving an ugly scene, was registered in Rwanda.

Further, the CS noted that the accident claimed the lives of 52 people and left 32 others nursing injuries. 

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen at the scene of the Londiani accident in Kericho on July 1, 2023. /KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN

"Yesterday, a trailer Registration No. RAC 164W/RL 2379 registered in Rwanda was involved in a tragic road traffic crash at Londiani Junction leaving 52 people dead and 32 people injured. Unfortunately, all the victims were trading on the roadside market and the others were boarding vehicles at the roadside car park.

"I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to families, friends and relatives of those who lost their lives and wish a quick recovery to those recuperating in various hospitals," stated the CS.

Following his visit to the accident scene on Saturday morning, the CS issued the following directives:

1. All markets along the road reserve should be relocated. County Governments in partnership with the national government through the intergovernmental framework should construct markets off the Highways even as the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) constructs access roads to the markets.
2. In the meantime, the Ministry through the relevant agencies will revise speed limits in the area and provide bumps and signage.
3. The National Safety and Transport Authority (NTSA) to include the dangerous section (Londiani junction) as one of the spots to install speed detection cameras, especially in the upcoming pilot phase, to support the enforcement of traffic laws and regulations.
4. The re-testing of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) and commercial service vehicle drivers to continue as a way of assessing their competency before the renewal of driving licences.
5. The Ministry in consultation with various stakeholders to finalise the development of the NTSA Operation of Commercial Service Vehicles Regulations.
6. The Ministry is to hold consultative meetings with the East Africa Community (EAC) to guide on the harmonisation of motor vehicle inspection in the region.
7. County Transport Safety Committees in all 47 counties to immediately embark on road safety education and awareness programmes for traders, pedestrians, school children and bodaboda operators.
8. The National Police Service (NPS), with the support of NTSA to intensify anti-drunk driving operations across the country.
9. Meanwhile, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to investigate the sale of adulterated fuel sold to unsuspecting motorists.

"I call upon all motorists to be careful on the roads for their safety and that of other road users," appealed the CS.

Murkomen's Interior counterpart, Kithure Kindiki, had earlier ordered police officers across the country to arrest those found breaking traffic rules, with a specific focus on unroadworthy vehicles which he established Kenyans were prone to driving.

"I urge all road users to strictly adhere to traffic rules. I particularly appeal to drivers to exercise extreme caution and desist from speeding, overloading and dangerous or careless driving. 

"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," he added.

The truck was heading to Kericho before it lost control and veered off the road, ramming into tens of hawkers who were busy along the Nakuru-Kericho highway.

Data by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Thursday, June 29 indicated at least 2,124 fatalities recorded between January and June 2023, with pedestrian lives lost revealed at 729, the majority of the fatalities.