Two people were killed in Mlolongo after a lorry collided with a motorcycle

On Monday, a devastating road accident along Old Mombasa Road in Mlolongo claimed the lives of two people, highlighting once again the critical issue of road safety in Kenya. The incident occurred near the Oilcom Petrol Station when a TATA tipper truck, driven by a male adult, veered off its lane, heading from Syokimau to Mlolongo. The truck collided head-on with a TVS Star motorcycle, which was being ridden by a 26-year-old man with a female passenger on board. Tragically, both the motorbike rider and his passenger were killed instantly.

This incident is not an isolated case but part of a larger, ongoing crisis on Kenya's roads. The crash, which unfolded in a matter of moments, underscores the dangers that continue to plague our roads, particularly as vehicles like trucks and motorcycles often share narrow and poorly maintained highways. The fact that the truck strayed into oncoming traffic is a stark reminder of the constant need for better driver awareness and stricter enforcement of traffic laws.

In the aftermath of the crash, the scene turned chaotic as boda boda operators, angered by the loss of lives and the apparent recklessness of the lorry driver, set the truck ablaze. The fire completely destroyed the cabin of the lorry before police arrived to control the situation. The quick action by the police from the Athi River Traffic Base to secure the area and conduct investigations is to be commended, but the emotional response of the community highlights the frustration and fear that many road users face on a daily basis.

Both victims were rushed to the Shalom Community Hospital Mortuary, where their bodies are being preserved for autopsy, but their families and the community are left to grapple with the aftermath of this preventable tragedy. The truck and the motorcycle have been towed for inspection, and it is hoped that the findings will provide some clarity on the cause of the crash.

This accident is just another painful reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and the lack of road safety awareness that continues to affect many road users. Kenya's roads have become increasingly unsafe, and it is time for all of us, drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, to take more responsibility. The government must do more to improve road infrastructure, and enforce traffic rules more stringently, especially in areas where accidents like this are common.

For those of us who use these roads daily, it’s important to remember that safety is a shared responsibility. Let’s stay alert, respect traffic rules, and look out for each other to ensure that incidents like this do not become the new normal.

Road safety isn’t just about avoiding accidents, it’s about ensuring that no more lives are needlessly lost.