Road crashes claim at least five lives during Easter
At least five people have been killed in Easter road crashes in Juja, Chogoria and Pangani.
The carnage continued despite police and the National Transport and Safety Authority mounting inspections and media campaigns to arrest deaths on roads.
In the Juja 1am Monday crash, two people were burnt beyond recognition after their car burst into flames on hitting a trailer.
The driver lost control of the car, which veered off the road and started burning near Juja City Mall.
The occupants, a male driver and a female passenger, were traveling from the capital Nairobi towards Thika when they met their deaths.
CRITICAL
Their bodies were taken to General Kago Mortuary at Thika Level Five Hospital.
In Chogoria, Tharaka-Nithi County, two family members died and seven others were injured on Sunday night following a head-on collision along the Meru-Nairobi highway near Kajiunduthi Secondary.
Confirming the accident, Maara police chief Johnston Kabusia on Monday said that the injured were receiving treatment at the Chogoria PCEA Mission Hospital, and that two were in critical condition.
Mr Kabusia said the driver of one of the cars, a Honda Fit, was heading to Chuka town with five people on board when he lost control and hit a Toyota Harrier that had four occupants.
“The two people, a man, driver of the Honda Fit, and a woman died on the spot and their bodies were taken to Chogoria PCEA Mission Hospital mortuary, while the injured were rushed to the same facility for treatment,” said Mr Kabusia.
RESCUE
He said the two in serious condition are a woman aged 35 and a three-year-old child.
Mr James Mutegi, a resident, said he heard a big explosion and rushed to the scene. He found the Honda Fit had rolled off the road and the occupants were crying for help.
“It was not easy to rescue the injured from the wreckage,” said Mr Mutegi.
He said the road stretch near the secondary school is a black spot that has claimed many lives.
Mr Kabusia urged drivers using the Meru-Nairobi highway to be extra cautious between Embu and Meru town because the road has many corners and steep slopes.
ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN
In Nairobi, one person died on the spot after a car with Tanzanian registration numbers hit a wall at the Pangani underpass.
The driver rammed the wall after losing control as he attempted to join Forest Road on Monday morning.
The accidents come even after NTSA and police ran spirited campaigns to ensure safety on the road during the Easter holiday.
Since last week, there has been a heavy police presence on roads as Kenyans travelled for the Easter festivities.
NTSA, on the other hand, launched media and online campaigns to educate drivers on road safety.
The authority has also been sending motorists text messages, sharing tips on how to remain safe behind the wheel.
“Be a safe, responsible driver. Put down your phone while driving,” one of the SMSes reads.
Others urged drivers not to drink and drive, belt up at all times and avoid overtaking at sharp bends.
Reports by Mary Wambui, Alex Njeru, Evans Habil and Harry Misiko.
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