Traffic flow along the busy Suswa-Narok highway was brought to a standstill on Monday after irate locals blocked the road to protest the increasing number of fatal accidents in the area. The demonstrators used stones, branches, and twigs to barricade the highway, forcing motorists to a halt and creating a heavy snarl-up.
Police officers were quickly deployed to the scene in an effort to disperse the crowd and negotiate with the protestors. The locals expressed frustration over what they termed as government inaction despite repeated tragedies along the stretch of road. They demanded immediate measures to curb the accidents, including the installation of speed bumps, improved signage, and stricter enforcement of traffic rules.
The protests come in the wake of a tragic accident on July 13, when four people lost their lives after a trailer lost control near Nairekia Engare along the Suswa–Narok road. Among the victims were two motorcyclists, a pedestrian, and a passenger aboard the ill-fated trailer.
That crash added to a growing list of deadly incidents reported on the highway in recent months. On June 28, a senior police officer was among two people who perished in a separate accident at the Maduro area. Residents say the frequency of accidents has increased significantly due to rising traffic, reckless driving, and poor road safety measures.
“Too many lives are being lost here every week. We cannot continue to bury our loved ones while nothing is being done,” one protestor lamented.
Motorists were advised to proceed with caution and, where possible, seek alternative routes as the situation caused massive delays. Authorities have yet to announce any immediate interventions, but police confirmed that talks with the locals were ongoing to restore calm and clear the road.
The demonstration underscores growing public concern about road safety in Kenya, where thousands die annually in traffic-related incidents. For residents along the Suswa-Narok corridor, the demand is clear: urgent action to make the road safer before more lives are lost.
