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It is now emerging that there is a new threat to the safety of road users in the Western Kenya region: stalled tractors.
These utility vehicles, laden mostly with sugarcane and other agricultural produce are proving fatal to motorists and even pedestrians.
At least 10 people have died while tens of others have sustained serious injuries in two separate road accidents along the highway since November 2022.
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For instance, a grisly accident at Maili Tisa on the Eldoret-Turbo Road on the evening of Wednesday, November 23 claimed six lives, including a minor.
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The accident involved three vehicles; a tractor, an Isuzu Mux belonging to the Kenya Urban Roads Authority, and a 14-seater matatu.
It was reported that the driver of the tractor, which had no headlights on, underestimated the speed of the matatu and attempted to join the highway.
The matatu, which was heading to Kitale from Nairobi, in turn, rammed into the tractor.
The Mux, which was being driven behind the PSV, subsequently rammed into it.
Uasin Gishu police commander Ayub Gitonga said six people died on the spot, including the drivers of the matatu and the Mux.
Those who sustained serious injuries were taken to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for treatment.
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The wreckages of the vehicles were towed to the nearby Yamumbi Police Station.
On Sunday, January 15, four people died on the spot following an accident involving a Nissan matatu shuttle and a cane trailer at the Musembe area along the Eldoret-Webuye highway.
Ten others were seriously wounded in the accident which occurred after the driver of the matatu which was travelling from Bungoma to Nairobi lost control and veered off the road before ramming into the stationary cane trailer from behind.
The accident happened at around 5.45am according to witnesses.
The trailer is said to have packed along the road and was picking up casual labourers for the day’s work when the accident occurred.
Three passengers of the matatu shuttle died on the spot while the fourth one succumbed as he was being rushed to hospital.
The injured, including the driver of the ill-fated matatu, were rushed to the Lumakanda and Webuye hospitals in Bungoma and Kakamega counties respectively where they are currently admitted and receiving treatment.
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The four bodies have been moved to the Kimbilio Funeral Home in Lugari, Kakamega.
In May 2018, the Bungoma county government banned tractors from transporting sugarcane on the Kitale-Webuye highway at night in a bid to avert road accidents.
The road was expanded to accommodate high traffic but instead, according to the locals, it has turned into a killer highway.
The county sponsored the Transport Bill which was aimed at banning all cane carriers banned from the road from dusk to dawn.
The proposed county law stipulated that all tractors should have proper lighting and reflectors. All tractor drivers are also to be compelled to have valid documentation.
The mostly reported crashes involved 14-seater matatus and tractors.
The most tragic was in December 2018 when 19 people, including nine family members, perished at the Kamukuywa bridge, now a black spot.
They were in a matatu that collided with a tractor ferrying sugarcane to the West Kenya Sugar factory.
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The accident claimed 14 lives on the spot while five other people died while receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Despite this, the tractors continue operating at night, throwing caution to the winds.
When reached for comment, Sikika Road Safety founder Daniel Kiilu took issue with the National Police Service (NPS) traffic department over the increased road accidents involving tractors.
TUKO.co.ke understands that Sikika Road Safety is a campaign to create awareness for all road users, hence reducing the number of fatalities and injuries on our Kenyan roads.
Kiilu told TUKO.co.ke that in most cases, the tractors involved in the accidents lack reflectors, backlights, and headlights.
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But a traffic police officer based in Bungoma who spoke on anonymity for fear of being reprimanded by his bosses pointed to the lack of awareness about laws and rules among a majority of the tractor drivers.
Efforts to get a comment from the NPS spokesperson Resila Atieno Onyango over the matter bore no fruit as her phone was switched off as of the time of filing this report.
Speaking separately, Kenya National Commerce and Chambers and Industry (KNCCI) chairman at the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) Herman Kasili also expressed concern over police inaction against erring tractors.
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Kasili said the accidents lead to heavy traffic snarl-ups that adversely affect most businesses.
Eldoret-based human rights activist Kimutai Kirui on his part revealed that there is a need to make it illegal to drive tractors after 6pm.
This even as it emerged that the Bungoma woman, Joan Sikuku, who was among the four people who died at the Musembe area accident had secured a new job.
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Commenting on a post on Facebook, Nafula Masika disclosed that Joan was to report to her new job on Monday, January 16.
Nafula said the deceased was to be her new colleague before the tragedy struck.
Another friend of the deceased recalled how on Friday, January 13, they celebrated the news of her getting a job.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
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