Leaders in Nakuru county have come out to call for action to tame the accident menace along the Nakuru - Eldoret highway.

This follows the Monday morning accident involving an eleven seater matatu and a lorry which claimed 11 lives in Ngata.

Eight people died on the spot while three were pronounced dead upon arrival at Nakuru teaching and referral hospital.

Rongai MP Paul Chebor in his statement to the press reacting to the tragedy expressed his disappointment with the various government agencies in dealing with the menace.

Read: Another road crash at Ngata claims eight lives

Mr Chebor who described the accident as terrible lamented the laxity from the part of the traffic department which he blamed for their failure to strictly enforce the traffic rules and regulation.

He accused them of failing to enforce the 50 Km speed limit for all vehicles along the Soilo to Sobea stretch which is a blackspot.

Rongai MP Paul Chebor.

Photo credit: COURTESY

“The laxity still remains within the traffic enforcement department. From Soilo to Sobea there is a need to enforce a 50KM speed limit for all vehicles. We cannot continue to lose more lives,” stated Mr Chebor.

He highlighted some of the initiatives he has personally taken to tame the menace including petitioning the Ministry of Roads through Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) to redesign and add additional lanes to the existing road to allow more space for overtaking.

“Meanwhile, I will personally deliver a petition to the National assembly and traffic department tomorrow for an enhanced speed limit enforcement along this notorious road as an immediate measure to mitigate the accidents,” he said.

Nakuru County Disaster Management Chief officer Joyce Ncece while delivering condolences from Governor Susan Kihika expressed her regret in the loss of the eleven people in one accident.

Ms Ncece lamented that the Soilo-Sobea stretch has been in the spotlight for numerous tragic accidents which has seen Kenyans lose their lives.

She called on the drivers to be careful on the road and ensure they have enough rest before embarking on the journey.

“The stretch has been popular for fatal accidents. I want to urge drivers to be careful while using the highways. Whenever you feel tired you should park the vehicle and rest,” stated Ms Ncece.

She also urged the traffic enforcers to ensure only road worthy vehicles are on the road.

Watch: Police, firefighters, clear Ngata road crash scene

Residents of Ngata area also complained of government’s inaction to curb the numerous accidents that have been happening at the spot.

"Putting signage to indicate blackspot is not enough. We need the government to move with speed to expand this road to avert future accidents," said one of the residents.

Nakuru county Police commander Samuel Ndanyi said the Nairobi bound matatu was coming from Kitale before colliding head on with the lorry at the spot.

According to Mr Ndanyi eight people including the matatu driver died on the spot during the crash.
"We are still yet to establish the cause of the crash but preliminary investigations show that the truck driver lost control and swerved to the wrong lane before colliding with the speeding matatu," said Mr Ndanyi.

Related: My Hood: Posh Ngata estate gets ugly reputation

The driver of the killer lorry fled immediately after the accident.

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Nakuru leaders blame traffic police for Ngata road crash, as death toll rises to eleven

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Joseph Openda