A campaign has been launched to reduce accidents on the busy Thika-Magumu highway that cuts through Kiambu and Nyandarua counties.

The drive, spearheaded by Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia (pictured), area traffic police and players in the transport sector, seeks to bring down the carnage that has been on the rise in recent months.

This year alone, more than 10 people have perished in crashed on the road, while scores have been left nursing life-threatening injuries.

Leaders and residents blamed the spate of accidents on reckless driving, speeding, flouting of traffic rules, lack of road signs and lack of training among road users.

Officers from Kururia’s office will work with area traffic cops to sensitise motorists and other road users on adhering to traffic rules and regulations and other safe road practices, the MP said.

The initiative, he added, will include training for young people on being careful and responsible drivers.

“We have been having challenges on our Thika-Magumu road and we have as a result lost so many lives. We cannot continue to watch as people die and that is why we have decided to rise to the occasion,” Kururia said.

“We are training our people on better road usage even as we ensure that drivers get the requisite licensing. The contractor must ensure that he erects road signs to ensure drivers are alerted early enough on the state of the road as they drive.”

More resources

Some 300 young people from the four wards in Gatundu North – Githobokoni, Chania, Mang’u and Gituamba – will benefit from the initiative.

Speaking in Kamwangi, the MP said he was lobbying for more resources to be allocated to road projects in the area.

They include the Kanda Komu-Watathi-Gatei-Mwimuto and the Gatukuyu-Makwa-Ng’ethu roads. The roads are expected to open up the region for more investments and boost transport.

“The reason I have continually stuck with the government is that I need money to turn around the economic status of our people. In terms of infrastructure, we need a lot of money to revive the stalled Mau Mau Road,” Kururia said.

Locals, led by Pastor Samuel Macharia, called on the contractor building the Thika-Mang’u-Flyover road to include structures that will help curb accidents.