Three dead, six wounded in Eldoret-Nakuru highway crash

Three people died while sic were injured in an accident on Eldoret-Nakuru highway in the wee hours of Sunday.

A matatu in Mololine Sacco rammed into a stationary lorry near Sukunanga shopping centre in Uasin Gishu County.

SLEEP

Eldoret East divisional police commander Richard Omanga noted that the area is a major blackspot.

“The driver of the Nissan may have slept,” Mr Omanga added and asked motorists to be cautious.

Those injured were taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and the body to the mortuary at the facility.

About a week ago, two people died on the highway at Matharu in Burnt Forest.

The accident involved a Nissan and a lorry whose driver had been speeding when a tyre burst causing him to lose control.

“This is a blackspot. Drivers ought to be more cautious especially during the festive season. We ask the Kenya National Highways Authority to erect bumps to help prevent deaths," one said.

EMERGENCY UNIT

Due to the many accidents on the highway, the government is planning to construct an accident emergency unit near Kapkoi between Bayiete and Kerita along Nauru-Eldoret highway. Several accidents have taken place in this area.

The unit is meant to decongest the referral hospital, which is said to be crowded with accident victims.

It will be constructed on a five-acre piece of land and will have a six-bed intensive care unit, a 10-bed high dependency unit, a theatre, two ambulances and critical care staff who will work round the clock.

Surgeons will also be available.

The hospital's Chief Executive Officer, Wilson Aruasa, said, “We admit several accident victims hence the crowding at the hospital. Kilimanjaro Ward, for instance, has 32 beds but currently has 100 patients."

He noted, however, that the government is planning to construct another referral hospital at Kaplombe to further ease the congestion.

“What remains is the groundbreaking," he said.

MP'S HELP

Kesses member of parliament Swarup Mishra noted that accident victims will be treated at the unit before being transferred to hospitals if need be.

The unit will serve people from Mau Summit to Webuye, said Dr Mishra, the vice-chair of the National Assembly health committee.

Dr Mishara promised to pursue the matter so that the project is hastened. He said all the hospital has to do is provide the personnel.

The first-time lawmaker asked the Transport ministry to expand narrow roads to curb accidents.

“Drivers should be trained on highway use," he said.