Residents of Ngata are now accusing political leaders of neglecting them and making false promises to work towards improving the Nakuru-Eldoret highway, especially in the Ngata area which has been declared a black spot.

This comes after a nine-year-old boy lost his life and 10 others were injured on Sunday night when a lorry rammed into a matatu travelling in the opposite direction and the lorry later burst into flames.

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According to Nakuru West Sub-County police commander Francis Wahome, the lorry was transporting maize from Eldoret to Nakuru when it lost control and veered off the road.

"The truck was heading towards Nakuru town and developed a mechanical problem before ramming into the 14-seater Ngata Line matatu," Mr Wahome said.

The remains of a lorry that burst into flame after colliding with a matatu in Ngata.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

Ombogo Munda, a resident of Ngata, says the area has experienced numerous accidents that have resulted in people losing their lives on the road.

"Yesterday's accident is one of the many sad ordeals we have witnessed in this area and it has claimed the life of a young boy who was full of life. It is not enough that the government continues to put up black spots here at Ngata instead of making a conscious effort to upgrade the Nakuru-Eldorect highway to a dual carriageway, a move that could reduce these accidents," Mr Omboga said.

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David Otieno echoes Ombogo's sentiments, saying that every time an accident happens, political leaders are quick to express their condolences and promise to make changes in the area to reduce the number of accidents.

"It has been a long wait for us as locals to see this road turned into a dual carriageway. We want the government to work and stop giving us false promises. We have lost too many lives, it is high time people work," Mr Otieno said.

In December 2022, more than 20 people were injured and 10 people lost their lives in a gruesome road accident in Ngata involving two public service vehicles and a truck, prompting the Kenya National Highway Authority to declare the area a black spot and put up black spot signs along Ngata Bridge.

On 24 March 2023, two students also lost their lives on the same stretch.

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Ngata residents blame government for inaction on notorious black spot

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