Northern Bypass junction with Kamiti Road is a death trap

https://www.the-star.co.ke/opinion/star-blogs/2019-10-23-nothern-bypass-junction-with-kamiti-road-is-a-death-trap/

Save lives at the Northern Bypass/Kamiti Road intersection

I would like to highlight the grave risks along the Northern Bypass at the intersection with Kamiti Road (overpass).

The area commonly known as Githurai 44 Bypass stage is a dangerous black spot with speeding vehicles hitting pedestrians every so often and in some cases leading to fatalities. The intersection of those two major roads makes the area a major bus stop for those making connections to various parts of the city. Notably, there is also a busy murram road leading to Githurai 45 from that very spot. When you study the area, it is crystal clear that the designers of the road did not have a bus stop in mind if the small space between the road and drainage trenches is anything to go by. For that reason, matatus have to share that small space with tuktuks, motorbikes and a crowd of pedestrians and commuters especially during peak hours. Most matatus notoriously stop with one of their sides literally on the road. Oftentimes you will hear loud and scary emergency hooting by trailers and lorries in risky near misses. Surprisingly, many drivers foolishly like to overtake at such a risky spot.

Accidents are a common occurrence. One case that pushed my pain to the brim was last month when a girl was hit by a probox car in the morning as she was crossing the road on her way to school. Good thing, the driver quickly turned back and took her to hospital; but it could have been a case of too little too late. A few days earlier, a bodaboda rider had been hit by a Kahawa West PSV bus. As it is often the case, a battalion of bodaboda operators were left baying for the bus driver’s blood and threatened to reduce the bus to ashes. I couldn’t wait to see the end results. There are many more cases and I believe the nearby Kiamumbi Police station could have more records.

It is thus my humble appeal to ask for a solution. First and foremost, people should be keen when crossing the road. Second, KENHA, perhaps, can construct an official bus stop or erect a series of speed bumps and rumble strips along that risky stretch like it was done at Ngomongo junction a few kilometers away. Police and other law enforcers can be present at the spot during peak hours to control traffic flow and discipline errant drivers and careless pedestrians the way they do at the nearby Marurui center. These and other solutions can be of great help towards saving lives.

An armature video and a photograph are enclosed.

By Njoroge Kiratu, Kahawa West

Twitter @onKiratu

Reader Posed weighty questions

 Reader posed weighty questions

Daily Nation THURSDAY APRIL 17 2014

   I challenge Mr Ahmednasir Abdullahi to answer Mr Bernard Amaya’s questions (Nation, April 16). In the remarkable letter, Mr Amaya asks a number of vital questions in response to the columnist’s condescending opinion (Nation, April 13).

Despite the freedom of speech, Mr Abdullahi’s views meant to advocate the rights of Somalis, in my view, went beyond limits.

His disdain for IGP Kimaiyo and CS Lenku comes after his much vaunted contempt for politicians, calling them test tubes and his perceived incitement of the Maasai community over land issues.

It’s important to readers that he answers, on this page, the questions Mr Amaya raised.

NJOROGE KIRATU, Juja

The Twits

Mr. and Mrs. Twit are the most disgusting people I’ve ever heard of or read about. As shown by the prolific writer Roald Dahl, they often play dirty tricks on each other. Yes, very dirty tricks such as putting a frog in bed and rejoicing when the other shrieks with terror after finding an unwelcome guest between blankets. But it is how they treat animals that is extremely disheartening. Mr. Twit, for instance, applies the most sticky adhesive on a tree outside their windowless house to trap birds for his favorite meal - bird pie. Mrs. Twit, on the other hand, keeps her monkeys standing upside down for days on end waiting for a never-arriving circus day where she intends to make lots of money. But like other bad characters, their day comes, soon after… Get a copy for your child, read and enjoy… There is a movie too, watch a part of it here

Matilda

When you read Matilda by Roald Dahl, that’s if you haven’t already, you will most certainly notice the following:

1.       The con tricks of Matilda’s dad - Mr Wormwood,

2.       The gambling habits of her mother - Mrs Wormwood,

3.       The sweetness of her teacher - Miss Honey, just like her name,

4.       The brutality of her Head of School - Mrs Trunchbull, and

5.       Matilda’s supernatural brainpower...

Enjoy the read and remember there is Matilda the movie too if you prefer audio-visual learning. You can watch the trailer here 

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Making Fantastic Mr. Fox - the enormous work behind the film

Appreciating the great work behind the movie "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and also recommending the book "Fantastic Mr. Fox" by Roald Dahl on which that 2009 movie is based.

Though meant for kids, it's a good read. You'll love it, especially when Mr. and Mrs. Fox discuss what is to be stolen for supper.

 I quote "Every evening as soon as it got dark, Mr. Fox would say to Mrs. Fox, 'Well my darling, what shall it be this time (for supper)? A plump chicken from Mr. Boggis' (farm)? A duck or a goose from Mr. Bunce's (farm)? Or a nice turkey from Mr. Bean's (farm)?' And when Mrs. Fox had told him what she wanted, Mr. Fox would creep down into the valley in the darkness of the night..."

The book is only 80 pages (12pt) and filled with entertainment. Try it or find one for your child (6 -11).

Enjoy...

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