Lives endangered by lack of bumps on Lower Kabete road

The Star Newspaper (Kenya): Monday, August 13, 2018

The Kiambu government should urgently liaise with relevant agencies and erect speed bumps along its portion of Lower Kabete Road. 

The road serves both Nairobi and Kiambu counties. But I have noted with concern that the portion of the road in Kiambu County has not one single speed bump unlike along the Nairobi side. Not even where primary schools are located. 

Along the Nairobi portion of the road, bumps have been erected near key institutions where there is heavy pedestrian traffic among them Farasi Lane Primary School, Lower Kabete Primary School, The Kenya School of Government and The University of Nairobi – School of Business. However, there are none near the Kabete  Approved School, Kabete crossroads junction, Ndongoro Primary School, the ever-busy Ngurukuri crossroads and Kamutiini Center. 

Notably, these are largely located along a slope and most vehicles rush downhill without a care.
Accidents happen often and it is not uncommon to find a break-down truck towing away a badly damaged vehicle, which leaves one wondering about its (former) passengers. I have witnessed a number of accidents including on March 4 at Ngurukuri Crossroads. Another was on August 1 at the same Ngurukuri stage where a van driver hit three pupils and sped off. There is no word yet on the arrest of the driver. The pupils are still hospitalised in Kikuyu town. 

A colleague and her brother were knocked down by a speeding driver during an early morning jog on July 22. They are recuperating at home. 

These and many others could be averted if speed bumps were erected at key spots along the road. The same holds true for Ngecha and Getathuru roads in the same area.       

 By Njoroge Kiratu, Lower Kabete

Ngurukuri accident on March 4, 2018