Since 2022, Nairobi PSV drivers and touts have enjoyed free health services in an effort aligned with curbing road carnages.
Afrika Mashariki Transport Awards partnered with well-wishers and volunteer doctors to aid motorists after research showed that underlying issues cause most road accidents - some of which turn fatal.
Factors such as illnesses, exhaustion and stress majorly contributed to human errors and reckless driving, which the National Safety and Transport Authority (NTSA), in its November 15, 2022 report, listed as a major cause of accidents.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Wednesday, January 4, Afrika Mashariki founder, Meshack Edgar Obota, detailed that the doctors conduct tests, prescribe medication and treat drivers and touts for free.
“The exercise is part of a project called Take 5. Take 5 means taking a break while driving, which encourages motorists to have enough rest.
“Doctors conduct physical tests such as blood sugar, haptoglobin (HP), body mass index (BMI) and eye, and ear checks at various terminals. The sick are given prescription medications with follow-ups conducted, later on,” Obota stated.
An analogy under Take 5 can be a driver who has diabetes and fails to take medication when the sugar level drops. Dizziness causes him to veer off the road and ram into other motorists or passers-by.
“The three key pillars of Take 5 are; avoid distractions while on the road, when tired, take a rest and focus is key. We are glad that more health and transport players are coming on board,” Obota added.
He also indicated that the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), which receives most of the accident casualties within Nairobi, had hinted at partnering with them to aid drivers and touts.
Afrika Mashariki Transport Awards
In 2022, the traffic advocates partnered with the Ministry of Transport and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to organise the first-of-its-kind recognition for players in the transport sector.
Submission of nominees is conducted online before the NTSA vets them for legibility. Factors such as licenses, registration of Saccos, number plates and vehicles, and accident histories are keenly analysed.
Among the winners were the NTSA, which emerged first in the Best Technological Innovations courtesy of its Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS).
Mash East Africa, Easy Coach and the Guardian were among the Long Distance Bus Service of the Year Winners.
Super Metro won the Matatu Sacco of the Year, 2NK Sacco and Mololine among the Long Distance Shuttles of the Year.
Classic 105's Maina and King'angi was voted the Radio Drive Show of the Year, and Sikika Road Safety won the Transport Social Media Page of the Year. The late Transport minister John Michuki was feted for outstanding contributions to the transport sector through the famous Michuki Rules.
In 2023, Afrika Mashariki is expanding its awards to East Africa.
“The theme is the future of transport in East Africa. We will also be speaking more about e-mobility in upcoming conferences,” Obota divulged.
World Day Remembrance
The world celebrates World Day Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims every second Sunday of November.
Afrika Mashariki celebrated the day in 2021 by planting trees in Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary and hopes to encourage Saccos around the country to adopt the same, irrespective of their counties.
NTSA Statistics
In December 2022, Cabinet Secretaries, Kithure Kindiki (Interior) and Kiphumba Murkomen (Transport) launched a crackdown on motorists and listed a raft of enforcement measures to be enforced on highways.
Police were ordered to apprehend motorists flouting traffic laws, and the Kenya National Highways Authority, (KeNHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) were ordered to heighten surveillance on the roads.
"From the analysis of past reports, a high number of road carnage results from avoidable human factors, including driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, dangerous overtaking, fatigue, and ignoring traffic lights and signs, among others," Murkomen asserted.
NTSA, in its report, recorded a three per cent increase in road carnage as of November 15, 2022, with fatalities standing at 4,432 compared to 4,271 during the same period in 2021.
Police Raid Former Treasury CS Ukur Yatani's Home Breaking News
