Residents of Kikopey have blamed a deadly road crash that claimed six lives earlier this week on the narrow carriageway and persistent trailer parking along the roadside.

The accident, which left several people injured, has once again brought long-standing safety concerns along this busy stretch of highway into focus. Residents say it has become increasingly dangerous, especially at night.

According to locals, the problem is exacerbated by long queues of trailers and lorries parking on both sides of the road, which significantly reduces visibility and road space for motorists.

John Nduta, a boda boda rider based in Kikopey, says that the crash was not an isolated incident, but rather a reflection of deeper structural problems along the corridor.

“This section of the road is very narrow, yet trailers are parked right on the roadside, especially at night when visibility is poor. It's a recipe for disaster,” he says.

Mr Nduta claims that some drivers rejoin the highway abruptly from parking spots without checking for oncoming traffic, further increasing the risk of collisions.

“If these trailers were parked off the road, many accidents could be avoided. Sometimes they just enter the road suddenly, and that is very dangerous,” he says.

Another resident, Sara Chebet, echoed these concerns, stating that the number of heavy commercial vehicles parked alongside the motorway has increased over the years, turning the area into a black spot.

When contacted for comment, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) director Eng Terigin Kibet acknowledged the problem, attributing it to increased traffic along the southern transport corridor in recent years.

"Due to the rising number of vehicles using this route, many drivers opt to park along the roadside due to a lack of designated parking areas," he says.

KeNHA had attempted to mitigate the situation by providing a section of widened carriageway in Kikopey for temporary parking. However, this space is often misused.

“The widened section was intended for short-term parking, but drivers end up parking there for extended periods. Combined with the high volume of vehicles, this leads to congestion and safety risks,” he explains.

Eng Kibet says that a long-term solution is being incorporated into the ongoing Rironi–Mau Summit road project, which will include the construction of service lanes.

“These service lanes will provide proper parking areas for heavy commercial vehicles and remove them entirely from the main highway,” he says, adding that the intervention is expected to improve safety along the stretch once completed.

As investigations into the fatal crash continue, residents are calling for urgent enforcement measures to prevent roadside parking. They warn that without swift action, more lives could be lost on the busy highway.

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