Kenyans join world to remember car crash victims in solemn event

Kenyans yesterday joined the rest of the world to  remember road crash victims in an emotional ceremony held at Kyumbi off Machakos-Mombasa Highway.

Statistics from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) show that as at  October,  road slaughter had claimed 2,672 lives compared to 2,286 last year.

NTSA said private vehicles caused a large number of the crashes.

In 2017, 2919 people lost their lives on the road, with 3943 suffering serious injuries and 4353 getting minor injuries in a cumulative figure of 11,215 accidents recorded that year.

Sitted pensively in a wheelchair while supporting his frame, Leonard Maina Mureithi vividly recounts events of a crash that happened 25 years ago, changing his life forever.

Mureithi left Nairobi to attend his uncle’s burial in the company of his wife of four years and first-born daughter Millicent Murungi. The journey from Nairobi to Mathioya using a hired matatu to attend the burial ceremony went on well.

On their way back to Nairobi, the worst happened when the ill-fated matatu crashed along a steep climb on Kariaini-Murang’a Road at Mwirua. Mureithi, who was sleepy after tiresome events of the day, woke up to realise the driver was speeding had lost control before rolling down into the river.

“I was holding my daughter at that moment while seated at the co-driver’s seat. My daughter died on the spot and I was left with spinal code injuries,“ recounts Mureithi.

Mureithi was hospitalised for three years, his life changed and the family started suffering financially since he was the sole breadwinner.

“If my body was a car part, I would go to the shop and buy a new spinal code, it is good for drivers to be human and embrace safe driving. Passengers are not assorted goods, please observe road rules and don’t drink alcohol and drive,” said Mureithi.