One person died and several others were injured in a road accident at the new Nairobi Expressway on Saturday night.

Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Corporate Communications Deputy Director Samwel Kumba said the accident which occurred at the Nairobi Expressway Mlolongo Toll Station involved a motorist who was driving at high speed while approaching the exit.

“Unfortunately, police reports indicate, the driver who caused the accident died. Five others who were injured at the site of the incident, including a Moja Expressway Staff, were rushed to hospital for medical attention,” said Kumba, in a statement yesterday.

“The Authority takes this earliest opportunity to condole with the family that has lost a loved one. We also wish quick recovery to those that were injured,” he added.

KeNHA also said that the motorist crashed into the toll plaza and ran over other vehicles that were being cleared to exit.

On Saturday evening, the authority said in a statement that the vehicle then hit one toll booth, with one of the attendants and other motorist injured in the accident.

The injured were rushed to the hospital and the affected booth was closed.

“Motorists are advised to avoid speeding and be cautious while on the road. Road Safety starts with you. The Nairobi Expressway is committed to providing a safe and reliable toll road service and would wish to assure the public that they are putting measures in place to avert such unfortunate incidents from occurring,” said KeNHA in a statement.

He made the remarks as the government said that measures were being put in place to curtail speeding on the Expressway, saying the speed limit should be 80kph.

Speed limit

Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna said accidents on the roads, including the Expressway, have been on the rise.

“The crashes are attributed largely to drivers ignoring speed limits. Nairobi Expressway, for instance, has speed limit of 80Kph and below which is clearly displayed at intervals along the expressway,” said Oguna said in a statement on his twitter handle.

He said that motorists using the Expressway should adhere to the recommended speed limits to avoid accidents.

“Drivers are cautioned to approach the affected toll station at Mlolongo with care as the station has been temporarily closed. Measures to curtail speeding on the Expressway are being put in place,” added Oguna.

The road was opened to the public over a month ago.

Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said that about 11,000 vehicles had been registered on the road by the time it was opened, with 7,000 of them registered to use the electronic toll collection.

The eight-lane elevated dual carriageway is expected to significantly decongest Mombasa Road and reduce travel time between Mlolongo and Westlands.