Kenya Union of Post Primary Education (KUPPET) has called on the Department of Roads and Public Transport to put in place measures to curb increased accidents on the Busia-Malaba road that have claimed the lives of many road users, including school children.
Kuppet Busia County Executive Secretary Moffats Okisai has warned that if measures are not put in place, lives of many more learners and members of the public will be lost, “There are over ten school along that road either a total of six thousand learners who use that road every day and whose life is in danger because of trailers and other vehicles which are driven at high speed.”
Okisai wants the department to place road signs on the road to guide drivers and erect speed bumps to minimise speed.
He has also pointed out potholes spread along the 28-kilometre road as another cause of road accidents, urging the department to ensure they are filled in.
His sentiments come a day after a form three student at Father Okodoi secondary school in Teso Central died after she was knocked down by a long-distance trailer while she was going to school on Thursday morning, dying on the spot.
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Her colleague, also a form three student at the school, was injured and taken to the hospital for medication, while irked members of the public torched the trailer, whose driver vanished after the 5 am accident occurred.
Okisai sent his condolences to the school, which has lost three students through road accidents in two weeks. “It’s a tough moment for Father Okodoi Secondary School because in a span of two weeks, it has lost three students. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn the departed souls.”
The executive secretary has also urged parents and members of the public not to condemn and blame teachers whenever accidents occur.
“It’s unfortunate that when students are involved in road accidents outside school, parents and wananchi blame their teachers. How can a teacher be held responsible for an accident involving a student outside school? Let us cooperate during such incidents and find amicable solutions instead of playing blame games.”
By Charles Ouma
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