Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called on all road users to exercise extra caution and vigilance ahead of the festive season.
Mudavadi in a statement on Friday further called traffic police to ensure that all PSVs are roadworthy and are driven safely.
"They must ensure that all the PSVs on the road have the registered name of the Sacco, company or institution, have inspection status and operate from their licensed routes," Mudavadi said.
He said the officers must ensure each PSV has a valid Road Service Licence.
“As we approach the festive season, I urge all road users to exercise extra caution and vigilance to ensure the safety of all and as our students sitting for KCSE exams,” Mudavadi said.
The CS consoled the families who lost their loved ones in an accident at Iguhu Bridge along the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway.
Mudavadi expressed concern over the high number of lives being lost due to traffic accidents.
He said records indicate that this year has seen more fatalities and serious injuries among motorcyclists, pillion passengers, and pedestrians, some of which were preventable.
"Between January and November, we have lost 4,047 people, compared to 3,726 during the same period last year," Mudavadi said.
"There have been a total of 20,369 accidents, compared to 19,262 in
2023. Among these accidents, there were 10,124 serious injuries, up from 9,059 last year."
Mudavadi’s call comes at a critical time as Kenyans prepare to travel over the holiday season, a period that is traditionally marked by increased road activity.
On Thursday, the death toll in the River Yala’s Iguhu Bridge accident on the Kisumu-Kakamega highway that occurred on Wednesday had risen to 13.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa said three more people succumbed to their injuries this morning, raising the number of casualties from yesterday’s 10 to 13 people.
