The infamous Coptic roundabout in Mamboleo, along the Kisumu–Kakamega highway, has been destroyed by unknown individuals following yet another deadly accident that claimed 26 lives. Residents woke up on Sunday morning to find the roundabout demolished, with tarmac dug out by an unidentified excavator in the dead of night.
The act of vandalism comes in the wake of public outcry and repeated calls by locals and leaders for the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to redesign the roundabout, which has long been labeled a “death trap.” The latest tragedy has reignited frustrations, with many blaming poor road design and negligence for the repeated carnages.
According to police reports, the most recent accident occurred when a school bus veered off the road after the driver lost control. Nineteen passengers died instantly, while others succumbed to injuries during treatment at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching & Referral Hospital (JOOTRH). The devastating crash brought the death toll to 26, leaving families and communities in mourning.
On Saturday, 22 of the victims were laid to rest in a mass burial ceremony held in Naki, Nyakach sub-county. Heartbroken families gathered after receiving the bodies from the JOOTRH mortuary, with leaders urging KeNHA to act swiftly to prevent further loss of life. Emotional scenes marked the burial mass, as religious leaders called for urgent intervention on the highway.
Early Sunday morning, KeNHA officers arrived at the vandalized site to conduct an assessment. However, the regional office is yet to release an official statement regarding the destruction of the roundabout or plans for redesign.
Residents have hailed the unknown demolition as a symbolic act of frustration against what they see as systemic neglect. “Too many lives have been lost here. If KeNHA won’t act, the people will,” one local resident remarked.
As investigations into the incident continue, pressure is mounting on authorities to provide a lasting solution. For the grieving families in Nyakach and beyond, the hope is that their loved ones’ deaths will not be in vain but will instead spur urgent reforms to save lives on Kenya’s highways.
