A recent survey conducted by Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA) has revealed that Public Service Vehicle (PSV) drivers and Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Kipchumba Murkomen are widely considered responsible for the surge in road accidents in the country.
According to the survey, which asked respondents about the primary entities or individuals responsible for the increase in road accidents, 29% pointed fingers at public transport drivers for buses and matatus.
Murkomen second
Murkomen trailed closely behind with 25% of respondents attributing responsibility to him. Traffic Police were mentioned by 12%, while the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) was cited by six per cent.
“Public Service Vehicle drivers and the CS for Transport are considered most responsible for the increase in road accidents, though the Traffic Police (among others) are also mentioned,” TIFA report revealed.
A significant majority of respondents (78%) expressed the belief that road accidents have been on the rise lately, with the perception most pronounced in Nairobi and Lower Eastern zones.
The survey, conducted between April 27 and 29, involved 2,912 respondents from nine zones across Kenya, with interviews primarily conducted in Kiswahili and English.
Additionally, the survey rated Murkomen and Lands and Housing CS Alice Wahome with a D+ rating among the best-performing Cabinet Secretaries.
Other CSs, including Gender CS Aisha Juma, Environment and Forestry CS Rosalinda Soipan, Mining CS Salim Mvurya, Simon Chelugui, CS for Cooperatives Development Alfred Mutua, CS for Tourism and Wildlife Susan Nakhumincha, CS for Health Njuguna Ndung’u, and CS for National Treasury Peninah Malonza, received a D plain rating.
Murkomen rating
Murkomen’s rating coincides with NTSA statistics indicating that approximately 1,000 p****e have lost their lives in road accidents across Kenya since January.
Despite concerted efforts by the government and private sector to enhance safety on the highways, an estimated 3,500 Kenyans succumb to road accidents annually, according to NTSA data.
