Mohammed Hersi . A hotelier passionate about Tourism & Governance in Africa

Waking up to tragic news of 19 dead on Nakuru Mbaruk  road  is sad indeed .

Just the other day close to 40 people perished on Nbi Mombasa highway . Kenyans no longer cringe when they see these numbers.

Several things are common. 

1. Most accidents involve a truck and a bus sometimes a Nissan van.

2. Most accidents happen  at night, many between 2 am and 5 am.

3 . Most accidents are head on crash where more often that not a Matatu will be overtaking either another bus or a long truck

Allow me to pose some very hard questions. Let us assume the police have failed and indeed they have to stop these carnage . What can we do as individuals?.

1.Is there any use of travelling at night? Is there any use trying to save some 12 hours only to end up 6 feet under. The worst part are the young ones and dependants you leave behind. My employees I will be more than happy to allow you to report some hours late rather than expose yourself to this danger 

2. I have lost 3 close friends in the last 3 months who were involved in an accident at night coming back from a funeral. Family is already mourning why are you so keen to add more misery . 

3.Most of these drivers are tired , some are high on something to remain alert hence their ability to make a judgement  is seriously impaired. In early 90’s I took a night bus from Nbi to Migori and I vowed never again.its nothing but a death trap. In later years I travel daytime only. 

4. These days the drivers survive and they take off from the scene of accident.  It means they have an idea what could happen and they keep their side away from the impact. This is real.

Good people we see so many people die in accidents we now think it’s normal . It is NOT . Ours is a very sick society but YOU yes YOU can make a choice and avoid being on this killer highways at night. Anything after 9pm on these narrow  highways you simply increase  your chance to die in accident. 

At night let trucks  have their way , truth be said more often than not it’s a crazy bus or Matatu driver who rams into them It is rarely the other way round. 

As always I choose to remain an optimist.  Let us do what we can to remain safe . 

Have a relaxed safe weekend.