A devastating road accident claimed the lives of five people in the early hours of Sunday, September 15, 2024, along the Likoni-Kombani Road in Kwale County. According to reports, the fatal incident involved a speeding motorcycle carrying five passengers that collided with a stalled lorry in the Denyenye area. The accident occurred at around 1:00 a.m., leaving all five pillion passengers dead on the spot, while one person was critically injured and rushed to Diani Beach Hospital for urgent medical care.
The Coast Regional Police Commander, George Sedah, confirmed the tragic accident, which he attributed to the high number of passengers on the motorcycle and the speed at which the rider was traveling. Sedah stated that the motorcycle was en route from Kombani towards Likoni when it rammed into the rear of the lorry. The motorcycle rider, who was among the six people involved in the accident, was carrying five pillion passengers, despite the motorcycle being designed for only one passenger. This severe violation of traffic safety regulations likely contributed to the fatal outcome.
The injured passenger, who survived the accident, was transported to Diani Beach Hospital, where they are reported to be in serious condition. Preliminary investigations indicate that the lorry had stalled along the roadside, and it was in this stationary state that the motorcycle crashed into it at high speed. Despite this, the police are still investigating further to determine whether other factors, such as poor visibility, were involved.
In a press statement, Sedah emphasized the need for all road users, including pedestrians, motorcyclists, and drivers, to exercise caution while using the roads, especially at night. He highlighted that the motorcycle was overloaded, a common practice in many parts of Kenya, which poses a significant risk to passengers and other road users. The Coast Regional Police Commander urged motorcyclists to adhere to traffic rules and avoid carrying excess passengers, noting that this is not only illegal but also dangerous.
This tragic accident in Kwale County is yet another reminder of the high risks associated with motorcycles on Kenyan roads. Overloading of motorcycles, failure to wear helmets, and lack of enforcement of traffic regulations have contributed to numerous fatal accidents in the country. Motorcycles, often referred to as “boda bodas,” are a popular mode of transport in both rural and urban areas due to their affordability and ability to navigate through congested roads. However, the sector remains largely unregulated, and safety standards are often ignored, leading to tragic outcomes like the one witnessed in Kwale.
As authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Kwale accident, attention is also being drawn to other recent incidents involving motorcycles. In a separate but similarly tragic accident, three families in Narok County were thrown into mourning when a motorbike carrying their relatives collided with a truck along the Narok-Bomet Highway. The accident occurred in the Masantare area, where the motorcycle rider attempted to overtake a vehicle but collided head-on with an oncoming Isuzu FRR truck. Narok County Police Commander Riko Ngare confirmed that the truck driver survived the incident without serious injuries. However, the passengers on the motorcycle were not as fortunate, underscoring the dangers posed by overtaking on highways and the lack of adequate safety measures for motorcyclists.
In response to these recent accidents, road safety advocates are calling for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, particularly concerning motorcycles. They argue that the government should implement better training for boda boda riders, enforce helmet laws, and ensure that only one pillion passenger is allowed on motorcycles at any given time. These measures, they believe, will help reduce the number of fatalities on Kenyan roads, which continue to be alarmingly high.
Furthermore, traffic authorities are being urged to improve road infrastructure, such as ensuring that stalled vehicles are properly signaled to prevent collisions. Reflective signage and lighting are essential, especially on highways where visibility is poor at night.
In the wake of this heartbreaking accident, the families of the victims in Kwale and Narok are left mourning their loved ones, and the communities are reminded of the fragility of life on Kenyan roads. As authorities investigate these incidents, the hope remains that stricter traffic regulations and greater awareness will help curb such tragic accidents in the future.
