Transport Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, announced three immediate changes on all roads in the country following the Nakuru- Eldoret highway accident that claimed eight lives.
Through a statement dated Tuesday, December 13, Murkomen directed the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to implement safety measures to forestall accidents, especially during this festive season.
"I have, this evening, instructed the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to immediately implement adequate measures to forestall any such accidents," Murkomen stated.
"The actions will be for the short term and the long term," he added.
Murkomen also directed the KeNHA to install signs that direct motorists to observe lane discipline on both approaches of the road.
The road authority will further erect signs that direct motorists to observe the 50 kilometres per hour speed limit on the Nakuru- Salgaa Road.
An immediate operation led by law enforcement officers on all highways in the country to further enhance traffic rules adherence also commenced.
The police officers deployed on different highways were allowed to use speed guns to track motorists flouting the speed limit rule.
Murkomen's immediate response followed an accident that claimed eight lives and left 23 others nursing serious injuries at Ngata.
The accident involved a truck and two 14-seater matatus. The truck heading towards Nakuru was reported to have developed brake failures, forcing it to swerve to the right, and ram into the two matatus.
One of the matatus was ferrying passengers to Kapsabet while the other was travelling from the same town en route to Nakuru.
"It is regrettable that several accidents have been witnessed in this spot in the recent past," Murkomen lamented.
According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), road accidents claim twelve people daily, with boda boda riders and pedestrians accounting for over 50 per cent of the number.
