Kenyans caused an online uproar and flashed out black spots and red flags to look out for along the Eastern Bypass following a viral clip in which a drunk driver claimed lives on Sunday, October 30.
Irked by the rising cases of accidents and fatalities along the newly expanded road, Kenyans piled pressure on the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to address the design flaws, describing it as a deathtrap.
Designs and Markings
Many directed their anger at different agencies, within the larger transport sector, calling for immediate action.
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) or the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), whoever is responsible for Eastern Bypass. Kindly address the issue of 'U-turns'. In fact, the designer(s) and Engineer(s) should be held responsible for all the accidents happening now and in the future,” stated Samm Alpha.
“Eastern bypass is a disaster, the worst road in design. In fact, those U-turns are just but black spots said Ham Wambui.
“I have repeatedly said that Kamakis bypass needs bumps and underpasses otherwise how the turns are designed is a death trap. The contractor is almost leaving the site,” Vital Gideon added in support.
Other raised concerns about markings and lanes that end abruptly, putting the lives of motorists on the line.
“Just like outer ring road, you find a lane that disappears to nowhere at the Eastern bypass and another one shows up from nowhere. A whole 32 km of a road in a city; not marked because it's impossible to mark it and doesn't have a single stage or footbridge. Ruaka area is also a black spot,” Tito Anthony warned.
Drunkards, Recklessness
Other Kenyans however had different opinions blaming reckless and drunk driving for the accidents. According to NTSA, Nairobi is ranked as the worst-performing County in road accident rates.
“Eastern Bypass around Kamakis is full of drunkards and you must remain alert at all times even as a pedestrian,” remarked Reuben Ewoton.
“Perhaps, if drunk driving is made a capital offence, motorists shall become sober on the road and grisly accidents like that which happened in Kamakis easily avoided. Drive safe, arrive safely!” Kipkoech Mitei noted.
For others, the bumps on the stretch are misplaced.
“It is a bypass. You don't do bumps on a bypass unless on designated crossing points like Thika road. But those poorly build Tuk-tuks are a no. This driver though, should be charged with manslaughter and should be in cells right now where he should be processed for BAC level,” stated another user.
“The cops know where all the revellers go to. Mombasa road, Kiambu road, Eastern bypass et al. It would make sense to have Alcoblows near these joints, as many as possible. Why can’t they do that to stop drunk driving?” Manuskii wondered.
Government Statistics
Reports by the NTSA placed the Eastern Bypass as the sixth most dangerous road at the close of 2021 having recorded 24 deaths behind Outering, Thika Super Highway, Waiyaki Way, Mombasa Road and the Northern Bypass.
More statistics released by the National Police Service at the close of September 2022 indicated that 22.2 per cent of accident victims between January and September had succumbed while 45.4 per cent were seriously injured.
“Our roads can be unforgiving, and we have the responsibility to use them safely,” warned Police Spokesman Bruno Shioso.
