Former Kisii Central Member of County Assembly (MCA) Kefah Mogaka, popularly known as Morefu, has appealed to drivers to exercise greater caution as they transport travellers, especially now that students are reopening schools for the second term.
Speaking to a gathering of drivers and touts at the Kisii town main stage today, the former lawmaker reminded them of their parental responsibility on the road. “You are parents who should have human feelings as you take our daughters and sons to school,” he said.
Mogaka urged drivers to strictly observe traffic safety rules and to handle students with care. He noted that some pupils often request to return home after boarding vehicles because they have forgotten essential items such as pullovers and padlock keys for their locked boxes at school.
“In cases where you notice they forgot some items home because of their clumsy need, please listen to them,” he said.
Morefu reminded the motorists that human error continues to be the leading cause of road accidents. He cautioned drivers against carrying excess passengers, saying the practice contributes to avoidable crashes. Overloading, he explained, affects a vehicle’s stability and braking, especially on sharp corners and steep sections common in Kisii County.
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According to the National Transport and Safety Authority, more than 80% of crashes are linked to mistakes made by drivers and other road users. The most common errors include speeding, which reduces reaction time and worsens the impact of collisions. Many accidents reported along the Kisii-Keroka and Kisii-Migori highways have been tied to speeding, particularly during peak travel periods like school reopening.
Driver fatigue is another major factor. Some operators work long hours without adequate rest to maximize earnings, leading to poor judgment and delayed reactions. Reckless overtaking on blind spots and continuous yellow lines has also caused numerous head-on collisions on narrow roads such as the Kisii-Nyamira route.
Other human-related causes include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, distracted driving through mobile phone use, and failure to obey traffic signs and signals. Ignoring pedestrian crossings and traffic lights further endangers students and other road users.
According to the observation made Education News in most bus stages across Kisii County, including Magena, Ogembo, Nyacheki, Nyamarambe, Marani, Suneka, and Kisii town, indicated general road sanity. However, some vehicles were spotted carrying excess passengers, especially students traveling to long-distance destinations like Nakuru, Kisumu, Migori, and Nairobi.
Most students who spoke to Education News, described the evolving relationship between learners and motorists as disciplined. “They don’t harass us nor ask for excess fare,” said a student who identified himself as Moses from Kapatagan Boys School in Kericho County.
Mogaka called on traffic police officers to intensify patrols and vehicle inspections throughout the school reopening period. He also asked passengers to be vigilant and speak out whenever a driver engages in reckless behaviour.
By Enock Okong’o
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