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Questions are emerging over the design of  a section of the Nairobi Expressway that has had two serious accidents within two weeks.

On Monday evening, a speeding bus rammed into a private car before rolling over at the Mlolongo toll station, injuring about 20 people and leaving a trail of damage.

The latest accident extensively damaged a booth at the Sh73.5 billion four-lane dual carriageway, which was officially opened by President Uhuru Kenyatta in May.

In the 7:30pm accident, which was the second one in just two weeks, an Embassava Sacco bus rammed into a stationary Toyota Prado TX that was waiting for clearance at the exit.

National Police Service traffic update said impact from the bus sent the private car rolling several times.

While the first accident that claimed a life was blamed on speeding and alleged drunk driving, Monday’s has been blamed on speeding and a possible mechanical problem on the bus. 

On June 25, a person was killed and several others injured after an accident at the Mlolongo toll station.

Shortly after the accident, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) said the deceased crashed into a toll booth and other vehicles while attempting to exit the toll station at high speed.

“The motorist crashed into the toll plaza and ran over other vehicles that were being cleared to exit. Consequently, the vehicle knocked one toll booth and injured one toll attendant besides the other motorists,” KeNHA said of the accident.

Particular section

Yesterday, KeNHA spokesman Samuel Kumba said the government is waiting for communication from the management of Moja Expressway on the interventions required to address the issue.

“There are issues that have been raised about the particular section of the road, which would be addressed once we get a full technical report from the management of the company managing the road,” Kumba told People Daily.

Engineers are now said to have raised concern over the particular section of the road they say could cause more problems unless redesigned. Sources said the management of Moja Expressway that manages Nairobi Expressway has already raised their concerns with the government and companies involved.

“It is a safety concern that has been raised with the relevant authorities. As you approach the last station to the exit, vehicles ascend which partially obscures the driver’s view.

Immediately the vehicles start descending, the barrier is just a few metres away and some motorists, due to high speed, fail to control their vehicles,” a highly placed source told People Daily yesterday.

The 27-kilometer road that runs from Mlolongo to Waiyaki Way and terminates at the James Gichuru junction was done through Public Private Partnership between KeNHA and China Roads and Bridge Corporation.

Expressway is meant to improve traffic conditions significantly, unleash economic potential and strengthen the country’s position as a regional transportation and logistics hub.

Consequences of causing an accident on the Expressway are so bad and as costly as its construction cost.

Motorist are required to cough hefty fines should they cause any damage to the road and its facilities.

For instance, damaging the cantilever variable information board, one will pay Sh8.8 million, destroying the ticket issuing machine will cost you Sh1.9 million while the vehicle type scanner is Sh2.4 million.