Following a string of accidents on the Nakuru-Nairobi highway between Kamandura junction off Maii Mahiu Road and Ngarariga, the Limuru Pastors Association and Kikuyu elders conducted prayers to cleanse the road on Wednesday.
This comes after 12 people died in a record 24 hours, with another seven fatalities reported this week when a private matatu rolled along the same section. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Just before the debris from the earlier accidents was cleared, another tragic crash occurred on April 11, about two kilometers from the previous scene, claiming seven lives. The accident happened when a Nairobi-bound matatu, ferrying passengers from Kijabe, hit a boulder and rolled.
Neighbours at Kamandura heard heavy braking followed by a loud bang, and when the car stopped, seven were dead, with many others injured. The injured were taken to Tigoni Level Four Hospital, while the deceased were moved to the Tigoni morgue.
Pastor Paul Wandati said they gathered to pray and dedicate the highway to God, urging drivers to exercise caution, especially during the Easter holidays.
“There has been tragic accidents happening between kamandura and ngarariga,we prayed and gave advice to drivers to be careful especially during this time of Easter holidays,KENHA has also assured us of making the necessary makings to avoid further loss of life even as the mp for limuru assured us of the plans to expand the highway,”Wanadati said.
His sentiments were emphasised by Pastor Moses Muthui of Jesus Glory Ministry in Limuru who said that the area’s misty conditions and poor visibility contribute to accidents.
Muthui urged drivers to exercise caution to reduce pain and loss to families.
Isaac Ndereva in his sentiments said the real definition of a country's growth is infrastructure, but if it is going to lead to such incidents of death, one is left to wonder whether this progress in infrastructure is doing more harm than good.
“Nakuru Nairobi highway is a major economic artery and we can not do without it, it is upon us to use it well, know the black spots and more so observe basic traffic rules especially at this section where multiple deaths have occurred,” he said.
According to him, the head-on collisions that have happened at the section is an indicator of traffic miscalculation which is a human error.
He noted that Limuru community appreciates the fact that KENHA has confirmed the road will be expanded to a dual carriage and urged Kenyans that such modern roads without discipline will only be death traps.
Few hours after the pastors left, Kikuyu elders with their traditional regalia trooped to the same spot and did cleansing to ward off any spirits that could be causing death even as they sought God’s intervention.
