Residents of Masara town in Migori County are raising alarm over the alarming number of road accidents caused by reckless truck drivers along the Masara-Muhuru road. What was once a vital route for local transport and trade has become a notorious black spot, with increasing fatalities and injuries reported almost weekly.
The latest tragedy involved a man and his son who died on the spot after being hit by a speeding truck. The man’s wife, who was also involved in the crash, remains in critical condition at the Migori County Referral Hospital. This heartbreaking incident triggered a wave of protests from local residents, who staged a day-long demonstration to express their frustration and demand action.
The demonstrators blocked the road with large rocks and lit bonfires, effectively paralyzing transport and commerce in the area. Their message was clear: immediate government intervention is needed to prevent further loss of life. They urged the authorities, particularly the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), to crack down on reckless drivers and enforce stricter traffic laws along the road. Residents demanded the construction of speed bumps and installation of road safety signs to slow down heavy trucks, which frequently barrel down the road with little regard for pedestrians or other motorists.
One concerned resident emphasized the need for impounding trucks that violate road safety regulations and arresting the offending drivers. He noted that these measures would serve as a deterrent and potentially save lives. The call for accountability echoed across the community, with many accusing truck drivers of being the primary culprits behind the high accident rate.
A local businessperson who has lived in Masara town for over a decade revealed a grim statistic on average, six to seven people are killed each week in traffic accidents on the Masara-Muhuru road. Many of the victims are bodaboda riders and pedestrians, who are often hit by speeding trucks. The resident described the situation as “worrying” and emphasized that the sheer frequency of these accidents has shaken the community to its core.
He also noted the unusual nature of the youth-led protests, pointing out that it is rare for young people in the town to riot over accidents. This time, however, the impact has been so severe that even the youth were moved to block roads and disrupt business in a desperate call for change.
Concerns have also been raised about the qualifications of the truck drivers using the route. Some residents believe that many of the drivers lack proper training and valid licenses. This, they argue, contributes significantly to the accidents. They called on traffic police to conduct thorough inspections and remove unqualified drivers from the road.
In addition to stricter law enforcement, residents suggested that the county government, through its youth department, should offer road safety training and help young people obtain valid driving licenses. This would not only enhance safety but also provide local youths with employment opportunities.
Other residents expressed anger at the perceived bias of traffic police, who they claim target bodaboda riders for minor infractions while ignoring the more serious violations committed by truck drivers. They urged a fair and balanced enforcement of traffic laws to ensure the safety of all road users.
With lives being lost regularly, the people of Masara are pleading for urgent intervention to restore safety on the Masara-Muhuru road before more tragedies occur.
