Leaders demand Coptic roundabout redesign on Kisumu–Kakamega Highway after crash kills 26 mourners
The leaders argue that repeated accidents at the site, caused by its dangerous slope and poor road features, make it a death trap that must be fixed immediately.
Leaders in Kisumu County have called for an urgent redesign of the Coptic roundabout on the Kisumu–Kakamega Highway after a bus crash killed 26 mourners and injured 28 others, reviving long-standing fears over the notorious black spot.
The leaders argue that repeated accidents at the site, caused by its dangerous slope and poor road features, make it a death trap that must be fixed immediately.
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The mourners, from Koguta Katombo village in Nyakach, Kisumu County, were returning from a funeral in Riat, Kisumu West, when their bus crashed near the roundabout.
Led by Ker of the Luo Council of Elders, Odungi Randa and Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, the leaders vowed to ensure the Kenya National Highways Authority either redesigns or removes the roundabout.
“We are in mourning, and we are not happy. If some things had been done right, these tragedies would have been prevented. This road must be redesigned to ensure no more lives are lost,” Randa said.
Prof Nyong’o said the location has recorded so many accidents that it is widely known as Corner Mbaya, meaning a dangerous spot.
“The accident scene has to be restructured. No week passes without an accident reported here. The government must relook at the structure of the road,” he said.
The governor revealed he is already in talks with the national government to have the road redesigned, warning that without changes, it will continue to claim lives and cause injuries.
“A lot of accidents have occurred at that place. What I have noticed is that as a vehicle comes down the hill, even when it is not speeding, the road’s features make it impossible to negotiate the roundabout,” Nyong’o added.
Speaking at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital after visiting survivors in the wards, Prof Nyong’o condoled with the families that lost their kin and assured them of full support from the county government.
Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda also blamed the road design for the recurring tragedies.
“The roundabout has long been identified as a black spot where a combination of steep gradients from Riat Hills, poor signage, and inadequate speed control have conspired to cause many accidents,” he said.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto has urged traffic enforcers to act swiftly against any parties found responsible through negligence.
He also emphasised the need for a crackdown on traffic violations across the country.
“We ask traffic enforcers to act swiftly to bring to book those responsible for any acts of negligence leading to the accident and address all traffic violations to ensure road safety across the country,” he said.
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