Super Metro Reveals What Caused Nairobi Expressway Accident
It further cautioned drivers on the importance of safety while using the city roads
admin
Popular Nairobi matatu Sacco Super Metro has given its account of the events regarding the accident along the Nairobi Expressway on Wednesday, July 6 whereby one of its matatus had overturned at the entrance in Westlands.
In a statement on Thursday, July 7, the sacco revealed that the 33-seater matatu belonging to them was avoiding colliding with a personal vehicle, a Toyota Prado along Brookside Drive, but it hit a guardrail instead.
The car was reported to be speeding from the drive while trying to join the multi-billion road from the opposite direction before the accident occurred, leaving several passengers, including the conductor, injured.
A Super Metro bus in Nairobi CBD. /FACEBOOK
"Yesterday one of our fleet hit a guardrail while evading hitting another personal vehicle (Prado) which was speeding from Brookside Drive, Nairobi as it tried to join the Expressway from the opposite direction leading to the accident.
"Several passengers were left with scores of injuries including the conductor and were rushed to the hospital. The information is with the Kenya Police, NTSA, the Expressway CCTV & KENHA," the Sacco said in part.
It further cautioned drivers on the importance of safety while using the city roads and wished a speedy recovery to the victims of the crash.
"Nothing is of greater importance that the conservation of human life. Kindly as we all use our roads, always put in mind that caution is the parent of safety. The key to safety Is in your hands.
"To the victims, you are in our thoughts and prayers. May God grant you a speedy recovery," it added.
The statement comes hours after the government announced a ban on matatus and all Public Service Vehicles (PSV) carrying more than seven passengers from the Nairobi Expressway in a response to a series of accidents along the road.
Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) James Macharia stated on Wednesday, July 6 that the ban was part of an array of extreme measures to reduce overspeeding on the Ksh87.9 billion road, termed President Uhuru Kenyatta's flagship project.
The directive will however be on a temporary basis pending proper measures, some of which have already been put in place by the operator.
"The Ministry of Transport has, therefore, taken the decision to temporarily restrict commercial passenger vehicles with a capacity of more than seven (7) passengers from using the Nairobi Expressway, as we investigate the cause of these accidents and develop appropriate safety measures," read the statement in part.
On top of introducing traffic officers at various points to enforce regulations such as speed limits along the highway, the government also vowed tough punishments on those who flout the rules.
"The provisions of the Traffic Act will apply to those who do not observe stipulated speed limits. Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any of the provisions of Section 42 of the Traffic Act shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of up to Ksh100,000."
In addition, the government has also installed speed cameras along the road and set the speed limit to 110 kilometres per hour.
