Motorists Group Calls for Concrete Barriers on Southern Bypass

The Motorists Association of Kenya has urged authorities to install concrete medians along the Southern Bypass following a recent increase in road accidents on the busy thoroughfare. Through a social media announcement, the association stated that the government’s failure to implement these safety features along the highway has endangered motorists. The organization called for legal measures against agencies responsible for approving road completion certificates when projects fail to meet required safety standards. “The negligence by KeNHA and the Ministry of Roads and Transport to install a proper concrete median on the Southern Bypass has transformed this essential route into a dangerous location for fatal head-on collisions,” MAK declared. “We urgently require the immediate installation of the median to prevent further fatalities and restore the safety standards expected on a dual carriageway designed for high-speed travel,” the statement emphasized. The association accompanied their statement with an undated video showing a truck crossing into the opposing lane of the bypass before colliding with multiple vehicles and falling into a ditch. The footage indicated the vehicle was traveling at excessive speed, suggesting the driver may have lost control or experienced brake malfunction. A concrete median consists of a cement structure designed to separate traffic on roads, particularly dual carriageways. These barriers prevent vehicles from encroaching on oncoming traffic lanes while also prohibiting illegal turns and U-turns. The association’s appeal came five days after an oil tanker exploded on the road following a collision, resulting in one fatality and causing temporary road closure on Saturday, January 24. According to witnesses, the incident generated thick black smoke that severely limited visibility on the roadway. On Monday, January 26, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) issued a statement confirming that the bridge along the bypass where the incident occurred was structurally sound. KeNHA disclosed that structural experts had been dispatched to the site to conduct comprehensive assessments, including measurements, visual inspections, and other structural analyses to evaluate the full impact of the intense fire. “The bridge has been deemed safe for continued use while the detailed analysis is completed,” KeNHA reported.