The Kenya Roads Board is addressing the increasing incidents of road accidents by initiating a design audit and mapping of black spots along the Northern Corridor.
This move comes in response to a significant rise in road fatalities, with nearly 4,000 lives lost this year alone.
The board aims to identify and implement measures to mitigate the ongoing road carnage.
In a bid to support the growing need for emergency medical services, the board recently contributed an ambulance and medical equipment valued at over Sh.16 million to Naivasha Level IV Hospital.
The hospital, situated along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, has been grappling with a surge in accident cases.
Engineer Tom Omai, a director at the board, expressed concern over the escalating number of fatal accidents in the country, emphasizing the urgency of proactive measures.
Omai stated that the audit process has commenced, spanning from Mombasa to Malaba, to enhance road safety.
During the handover of the medical equipment to Naivasha Level IV hospital, Omai highlighted the significance of the donated resources in saving lives.
He stressed the need for effective mitigation strategies to address the challenges posed by the rising number of accidents.
Dr. Bernard Warui, the hospital’s superintendent, acknowledged the hospital’s handling of over 1,200 accident victims this year.
He underscored the pressing need to expand the current Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from two to 15 beds to accommodate the growing number of patients, many of whom suffer from head injuries.
Warui attributed the high accident rate on the Northern Corridor to the design of the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, which he believes is inadequate given the increasing number of motorists.
He advocated for the construction of a dual-carriage road as a crucial step in reducing accidents and alleviating the strain on the hospital.
Expressing gratitude for the donation from the Kenya Roads Board, Warui assured that the medical equipment and ambulance would be instrumental in rescuing accident victims and providing timely medical assistance.
