A highway built to improve movement between Turkana and South Sudan is now drawing concern for a different reason after a series of deadly crashes left several people dead and many others injured within weeks. The accidents, recorded along the newly upgraded Lokichar-Kakuma-Lokichogio road, have prompted police to warn motorists against reckless driving as the smooth highway continues to attract speeding drivers.
The Sh38 billion South Sudan Link Road has witnessed at least six crashes between June and July involving motorcycles, private vehicles, public service vehicles and an ambulance. One of the fatal accidents also triggered violence, with members of the public setting a vehicle on fire after a motorcyclist was killed.
Police say most of the crashes have been linked to speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, unlicensed motorists, uninsured and unroadworthy vehicles, as well as failure by drivers to understand the risks that come with driving on a road carrying relatively light traffic.
Turkana County Traffic Commander Isaac Ochukut said accident cases tend to increase on Fridays, Saturdays and towards the end of every month when more motorists use the highway.
“Because the road has low traffic, it should not be a reason for drivers to use it recklessly, even under the influence of drugs and alcohol,” he said.
The road was upgraded under the Eastern Africa Regional Transport, Trade and Development Facilitation Project through funding from a World Bank credit facility during former President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration.
It also forms part of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor and has opened up access to remote trading centres across Turkana County, making transport easier for residents and businesses.
Among the worst accidents was the June 11 crash that claimed the life of volunteer nurse Abel Emase. He died after an ambulance travelling back to Kakuma from Lodwar County Referral Hospital rammed into a water bowser near Nasiger.
Police said the ambulance, which was carrying only two occupants after dropping off a patient, was speeding before the collision. The driver survived.
Another fatal crash occurred on July 23 when a Mercedes-Benz reportedly developed a tyre burst at Makutano Junction before crashing into a motorcycle, killing the rider.
The incident sparked anger among residents, who later torched the vehicle.
Earlier, on July 16, two Burundian refugees lost their lives after a motorcycle carrying four people collided head-on with a Toyota Probox in Kakuma. Residents said none of the riders had helmets.
Other accidents recorded in recent weeks include a fatal Toyota Probox rollover at Loturerei, a bus carrying about 60 passengers that suffered a tyre burst but avoided fatalities, and another vehicle that veered into a drainage tunnel in Lokichar without causing any deaths.
Police have appealed to motorists using the highway to observe traffic regulations, avoid speeding, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and stay away from driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.