Four people lost their lives and several others were injured in a fatal road accident that occurred in Awasi’s Pala area, Kisumu County, highlighting the dangers of road travel during the festive season.
The accident involved a private Nissan van traveling from Kericho to Kisumu. According to Nyanza Regional Traffic Enforcement Officer Peter Maina, the crash happened when the driver of the van lost control of the speeding vehicle, causing it to veer off the road and plunge into a ditch.
“The driver, two male passengers, and a woman died on the spot,” Maina reported. The sole survivor of the crash, 29-year-old Denise Otieno, sustained a broken left arm and is currently receiving treatment at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The deceased were transported to Othoo Private Funeral Home, where post-mortem examinations will be conducted as part of ongoing investigations. Maina noted that preliminary findings pointed to speeding as a likely cause of the tragedy.
This incident underscores the pressing need for heightened vigilance on Kenyan roads, especially during the festive season. Many families travel long distances to reunite with loved ones, and the combination of fatigue, unfamiliar routes, and poor vehicle maintenance often results in increased road accidents.
Maina highlighted that driver fatigue and human error are among the primary causes of such accidents. “Some of the accidents are attributed to human error caused by fatigue or unfamiliarity with new routes. This calls for caution and adherence to traffic rules during the festive season,” he said.
In addition to reckless driving, Maina cited the importance of ensuring vehicles are roadworthy and serviced regularly. “Most of these accidents could be avoided if drivers and vehicle owners observed basic safety precautions,” he added.
The Kisumu accident is a grim reminder of the price paid for negligence on the roads. Authorities are urging motorists to exercise caution, especially as more people hit the roads during the festive period. Strict adherence to speed limits, regular rest breaks for drivers, and routine vehicle checks are critical measures to prevent such tragedies.
As investigations continue into the Kisumu accident, traffic enforcement officers are calling on all road users to prioritize safety to avoid further loss of lives during this busy travel season.
