The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) renewed its criticism of the government with a fresh set of demands following a spate of accidents along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway in less than a week.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 1, MAK demanded the immediate commencement of public-led works to upgrade the entire stretch of the Rironi–Naivasha–Nakuru–Mau Summit highway, insisting that only dual roads can reduce the frequency and severity of crashes.
MAK faulted the government for what the association described as a failure to act on road expansion along the Northern Corridor for more than 15 years, as they blamed the road design and state of neglect as the key factor behind the high number of fatalities along the busy highway.
"This negligence has cost not only thousands of lives but also billions in economic losses. Transporters are now diverting to Tanzania’s Central Corridor and even investing in alternative railway projects. Kenya is bleeding business because of perpetual government incompetence," MAK's statement read.
The association further cited the dualling of Salgaa as a classic example of how the dualling of a road brought an end to regular fatalities.
In the same statement, the MAK dismissed the government's claim that accidents mainly stemmed from human error and recklessness.
"Officials also like to blame 'speeding', but in reality, the purpose of a vehicle is to move faster than walking. Citizens must reach hospitals, attend court hearings, meet work deadlines, deliver goods, and keep family commitments," the statement added.
Besides dualling of the Northern Corridor, the association also demanded a full audit of all public funds allocated to road construction and maintenance over the past 15 years.
In addition, there were calls to install concrete barriers and safe road designs across all blackspots as a way to protect drivers.
One of the more tragic recent accidents along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway saw a matatu collide with a trailer, leading to the death of 16 people. A day later, the same road was the subject of a snarl-up after two lorries collided.
In the wake of the accidents, the Road Safety Association of Kenya called for the revocation of all driving licences issued by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) in the past six years.
Chairperson David Kiarie claimed that most licences issued during that period were given to people who did not attend driving school and just paid for them.
As such, he called on the government to cancel all the licenses and have the drivers go back to driving school before they can be given legitimate ones.
