• The CS instructed KeNHA to install ‘Observe Lane Discipline’ road signs on the stretch of the road around the Ngata area where ten people lost their lives on Tuesday.
• His statement came as the death toll in Tuesday’s accident rose to eight with those injured standing at 23.
Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has outlined short-term measures the ministry will undertake immediately to forestall further loss of lives at Ngata Bridge on the Nakuru-Salgaa road.
In a statement, Murkomen said he has instructed the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to install ‘Observe Lane Discipline’ road signs on the stretch of the road around the Ngata area where ten people lost their lives on Tuesday.
He directed the authority to also install 50KPH speed limit signs on both sides of the three-lane highway and instructed traffic police to enforce the rules including using speed guns.
“In the long term, by April 2023, I have instructed the authority to commence construction of an additional lane and separate the flow of opposing streams of traffic with Jersey barriers in the maiden akin to the Molo River-Sachangwan-Kibunja section,” the CS said.
His statement came as the death toll in Tuesday’s accident rose to eight with those injured standing at 23.
The afternoon accident involving a trailer and two 14-seater matatus occurred after the truck reportedly lost its brakes causing it to swerve to the right and hit the passenger vehicles on its way to Nakuru.
The injured were rushed to the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital for treatment.
Rongai MP Paul Chebor in an earlier statement proposed the dualing of the stretch of the road at the now infamous Ngata Bridge black spot.
It lies between Sachangwan and Salgaa centres, a dangerous 2okm stretch notorious for fatal accidents such that residents have nick-named the section “highway to hell.”
On November 26, three students of the nearby Rift Valley Technical Institute died at the same spot where Tuesday’s accident occurred.
“The spot has over the years turned out to be a death trap. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the matter anymore,” Chebor said.
He revealed that he has reached out to the Ministry of Roads and security agencies over the proposal to build a dual carriageway at the section.
Meanwhile, Murkomen condoled the families of the bereaved and wished the injured a quick recovery.
“It is unfortunate to witness such a loss of lives,” he said.
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