BREAKING: Governor Involved In Road Accident, Clashes With Motorcycle  

Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok of Kenya was involved in a minor accident on Monday morning along Narok-Kericho Highway.

The accident involved Barchok’s official vehicle and a boda boda rider who was carrying a pillion passenger.

A statement from the governor said he and the boda boda rider escaped unhurt.

The pillion passenger sustained minor soft tissue injuries and is currently receiving medical attention at Longisa County Referral Hospital, the statement said.

Governor Barchok wished the patient a speedy recovery.

“In light of this incident, Barchok urges all road users to observe traffic rules, exercise responsibility and caution at all times to prevent such unfortunate occurrences.”

The National Transport and Safety Authority data indicates that about 1,214 lives were lost in road accidents in the last three months.

NTSA Deputy Director, Safety, Audit and Inspection Eng Christine Ogut said the data was a worrisome trend, with fatalities increasing by five per cent compared to the same period last year.

She made the remarks during a comprehensive operation aimed at raising awareness about road safety, particularly on the Kaplong-Bomet-Mulot-Narok roads on April 10.

Ogut said statistics were conducted between January and April and show that pedestrians account for the largest number of fatalities, followed by motorbike riders, passengers and drivers.

In 2023, close to 3,609 people lost their lives in road accidents while in 2022 at least 4,690 people died on Kenyan roads, NTSA statistics show.

Pedestrians accounted for the largest number of fatalities, followed by motorbikes, passengers and drivers.

Ogut said following the increase in road accidents, the authority launched countrywide compliance checks by increasing safety measures to tackle the road carnage menace.

“The NTSA has intensified efforts to engage with drivers and matatu Saccos, summoning them for sensitisation sessions on road safety protocols,” Ogut said.

The official said the inspections and sensitisation efforts are aimed at educating drivers and road users on the importance of responsible road usage.

“We have identified the lack of speed limiters in vehicles, particularly public service vehicles, as a significant contributing factor to accidents.

“Also, speed is the leading cause of accidents on our roads which accounts for 70 per cent of the accidents,” Ogut said.