Road accidents in the month of January 2019 have claimed more lives than Kenyans witnessed in the festive month of December 2018, a scenario that is easily attributed to the relaxed mood in creating awareness on road safety in the month.
184 people have lost their lives in the country on the road since the year 2019 began according to the survey results released on January 25, 2019, by the NTSA. The number of deaths has since increased to over 20 more deaths in various places listed below.
Kaptagat-Eldama Ravine Road Accident
Eleven of those deaths took place in Kaptagat-Eldama Ravine road. The accident that has left scores seriously injured, according to police, occurred after a 14-seater matatu veered off the road at HZ area which is a known black spot. Among the eleven that died in the Kaptagat-Eldama Ravine road accident were two local administrators and five chiefs who were returning home after an official meeting in Iten.
Namanga Road Accident
On the 29th of January 2019, an AP officer died in another road accident in Namanga road adding to the 184 deaths. The officer attached to Ng’atataek AP Camp was driving from Bissil area to Kajiado town where he lost control of his car which rolled along the road.
Nithi Bridge in Kiriani
On the 25th of January 2019, four people, among the 184 in the survey, died as 11 others sustained serious injuries after a 14-seater matatu they were traveling in collided with a lorry at Kiriani near Nithi Bridge. Nithi Bridge at Kiriani has been marked a black spot after a number of accidents occurring at the spot.
The huge number of deaths witnessed in January 2019 has occurred after Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet lauded Kenyans for fewer roads accidents during the December festivities season compared to previous years.
Road fatalities in January 2018 were more than January 2019
Though the number of road fatalities witnessed in January 2019 has been more than those in December, they do not exceed those that were witnessed in January 2018.
Pedestrians remain the most vulnerable road users with over 72 dying in the road carnage according to a survey by the authority in 27th January. No death related to pedal cycling had been reported by the time the authority released the January 2019 data on 21st of the month.
3,146 had lost their lives on the road as up to December 30, 2018, compared to 2,875 who died by the same date in 2017 according to the survey results by the Authority which also reveal that pedestrians are most prone to road carnage where 1,201 of them died.