Residents of Arimi area have appealed to the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) to expand the Njoro- Molo Road in order to curb the numerous fatal accidents along the route.

The residents attribute the narrow road to the notorious road crashes that have led to the loss of lives with latest accident claiming 3 people.

According to eye witnesses the accident involved a lorry traveling to Nakuru general direction which reportedly lost its brakes before overturning several times at 7 pm on Saturday.

In an interview with Mtaa Wangu Samuel Wainaina says the deceased include the driver and two passengers.

“Last night we had an accident involving a lorry loaded with tree logs. It was very difficult to remove the people because they were badly smashed by the logs. We had to first pull the lorry out and user power saw to cut the logs so that the victims could be accessed,” Wainaina says.

The truck involved in an accident along Njoro - Molo road at Arimi area killing three people.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Wainaina adds that the area, especially near the Amco bridge, has long been neglected despite promises from leaders to expand the road.

“This is the same place where 12 people from one village died last year. When the President came, he said the road would be expanded, but up to now nothing has been done. We don’t know if the government has no money or if they will ever build it. We are just praying that God helps us,” he says.

Another resident, Ezekiel Wahonya, blamed the poor condition and narrow nature of the road for the frequent accidents.

“The road here is very narrow and many sharp corners on this slope. Lorries lose control, especially when brakes fail, and people end up dying. We are asking the government to expand and properly construct this road. When someone dies here, families are left suffering, children are orphaned and life becomes very hard,” Wahonya notes.

A section of Molo - Njoro road at Arimi area where an accident killed three people

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

On the other hand, Elizabeth Njagi expressed her fear for school-going children.

“We are scared because accidents keep happening. Children use this road to go to school and every time there is an accident, they are traumatised. We are asking the government to come and help us by fixing this road. We are in pain because many people have died here,” she says.

Residents are now calling on the government to urgently intervene and repair the road, warning that more lives could be lost if no action is taken.

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Residents call for expansion of Njoro-Molo Road after three people die in a tragic road accident

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Purity Kinuthia