Kenyans Once Again all Eyes on Londiani!
A recent shocking accident that occurred after a transit brake failed at Londiani business center on Nakuru-Eldoret road, will indeed take time for victims to forget about it! Much has been said about how such incidents can be cracked down and as usual, the government has promised to make changes, especially in bus terminals. It is regretable to know that all these proposals are being made when there has been a concerned department that assures Kenyans safety on the road.
We feel the action to dislocate hawkers along the road is not necessary and we have a reason!
Every time there have been tragedy accidents and it comes to be government officials talk about it. But they go in silence until the occurrence of the other accident.
It’s an open situation over our weaknesses and challenges we face as a nation on our determination to fight for road safety and calamities. For example, 48 people died on 9th May 2018 after Solai Dam break in Nakuru County.
Following this accident many looked after who will be responsible for death and losses; important yes! But there was a need of investigating safety Dams in our country. This incident was the one to open our eyes and give directions on how to build Dams and protect the residents around such Dams.
On our roads, Londiani accident is among many other accidents that have been reported. It’s not enough for NTSA to give a total of those who succumbed to road accidents in a certain year and compare it with last year when we know very well some of these accidents could have been exempted.
It’s through this opinion that we acknowledge the action of verifying whether those drivers are qualified to be on the road or not! The actions we see being taken in anger are not worthy without consideration of their impact on society. During a memorial ceremony at Londian for those families that lost their beloved ones, every leader said what he thought It’s to be done! So to exempt road accidents.
Speaker of National Assembly Moses Wetangula remained Kenyans of the need for transit to have at least two drivers, the same proposal we heard in October 2018 when almost 60 people on board lost their lives in a bus at Fortenan. Minister of Road and Transport Kipchumba Murkomen speaking at Londian during farewell mass reminds mourners about the accident that happened last year at Kabrengu market where 40 people lost their lives in the same incident as that of Londian.
Kabrengu is most known for many cases of accidents! We ask, what does the government do in a time accident occurs, and, before the other one to minimize loss of lives on the road!
Most stopovers on highway roads in Kenya, the business community uses opportunities to find their living as many travelers stop to buy commodities, and these are the most known destinations.
Even those amending the law and constitution, before shifting to their recent traveling means by air used these roads and they know where travelers stop on their way just to buy fruits and farm produce before various destinations.
These markets haven’t been built till now: It’s an injustice to relocate the business people along the road immediately!
It’s the government’s duty to make sure that it supports business people with small enterprises, especially this one that manifested for hustlers. A government that one time the president was once a hawker! At his tender age. He has to make sure that this business continues but in a better environment.
They’re places like Tomboroa, Emali, and Kivingoti are areas with well-managed stalls and bus parks as travelers buy farm produce as they travel: Why Londian has no such environment and its when the opinions are arising! CS Kipchumba Murkomen has said that all public vehicles and schools bus should be installed with CCTV cameras to monitor every single activity of drivers and their services.
It’s a brilliant thought! During NARK Regime we had the same issue over passengers’ safety and vehicles were installed with safety belts and speed governors that are assumed nowadays by drivers. NTSA was formed to monitor road activities that Murkomen is mentioning.
There have been operations to look for drunkard drivers. Operations that happen only at night and not for the sake of public safety but for money hunting over “weekend parties”. These CCTVs can be installed and yet don’t function as well to meet the expectations of CS Murkomen. We all know how speed governors are used for money-hunting by police officers. All these said by Kipchumba Murkomen will achieve only if all the involved parties cooperate. Most important is to improve the dark spots on our roads by construction bumps and road signs and many other things that we believe those in government know about it
By Collins Onyango
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