Nairobi:Makueni: Makueni County Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili has urged the national government to expand the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway to alleviate congestion and reduce the frequent accidents resulting in the loss of lives.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mulili highlighted a particularly hazardous 5-kilometer stretch of the highway from Mlima Kiu, between the Kima area and Salama town in Mukaa Sub County, which has been a notorious accident spot. This section has witnessed numerous fatal collisions involving heavy commercial trucks and passenger vehicles over the years.
The Deputy Governor’s remarks came following a tragic accident at Mlima Kiu, where 17 people lost their lives on Saturday in a multi-vehicle crash. Mulili noted that this was not an isolated incident, as the area has been the site of many previous accidents, causing significant suffering for affected families.
Mulili appealed to the national government and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to convert the entire 461-kilometer highway into a dual carriageway to ease congestion and prevent further accidents.
Earlier, Mulili, along with Makueni County Commissioner Khalif Abdullahi, disclosed that six of the injured victims from the recent accident had been discharged from Sultan Hamud Sub County Hospital. However, the trailer driver with severe head injuries was transferred to Makueni County Referral Hospital for specialized care.
Commissioner Abdullahi assured that the government would collaborate with relevant authorities, including KeNHA, to assess dangerous spots along the highway in Makueni County and implement necessary safety measures. He also advised motorists to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and emphasized adherence to traffic laws to ensure road safety.
