The government will cover medical bills and meet the expenses for the burial of 15 people who perished in a road accident at Malaha job junction along Webuye-Eldoret road on Monday night, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has said.
Among the victims is an elderly man who lost six family members in the crash.
Wetang’ula spoke when he led a delegation of government officials, including MPs, on a visit to the scene of the tragic accident on Tuesday.
The delegation included Ndia MP George Kariuki, Chair of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure; Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, Chair of the Administration and Internal Security Committee and Webuye West MP Martin Pepela.
The delegation also visited the accident survivors at Webuye County Referral Hospital, where Wetang’ula facilitated the transfer of two patients needing specialised care.
“I have called the Chief Executive Officer of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and the governor will provide an ambulance to ensure they receive proper treatment,” he said.
He announced plans for a fundraiser on Sunday, March 15, to support the victims’ families, followed by a joint requiem mass on Monday, March 16, in Bungoma town.
The Speaker called on MPs to review and strengthen existing laws to protect road users while appealing to the public to remain vigilant in reporting traffic offenders.
He called on authorities to expedite the arrest of the truck driver who remains at large.
“We stand here in unison and in unity as a people of this region, of this country and of this county to condemn in the strongest terms possible the recklessness of the driver of the lorry that killed people in this area,” he said.
He also expressed support for the National Transport and Safety Authority’s (NTSA) road safety measures, emphasising the need to remove reckless drivers and un-roadworthy vehicles from the roads.
“If you do not deserve to be on the road, you don’t deserve to be there. If you are on the road and you don’t adhere to the laws of the land, you deserve to be punished instantly. Your right to be on the road is equal to the right of others to be on the road,” he said.
He called on MPs to tighten existing laws and urged the public to remain vigilant in ensuring traffic offenders are apprehended.
“Enough is enough; we must make our roads safe,” he stated. A funeral committee has been formed to plan for the burial of the victims.
The team is led by Webuye East MP Martin Wanyonyi Pepela, Bungoma Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga, and will include the Bungoma Deputy Governor Janepher Chemtai Mbatiany and Members of the County Assembly.
Isaac, a resident who lost his wife in the crash, said he hopes his three injured family members will recover.
“I lost my wife on the spot. My other brother had stomach injuries. We are seeking support from well-wishers and hope that the government will redesign the road,” he said.
Webuye County Referral Hospital has conducted post-mortems on six victims, with seven more awaiting examination.
The Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr David Wanikina, said two male patients will require specialised treatment.
He added that the hospital, in partnership with the Kenya Red Cross, is providing psychosocial support to the families affected by the tragedy.
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