Makueni County Deputy Governor (DG) Lucy Milili has urged the national government to expand the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway to mitigate traffic congestion and prevent recurring accidents, highlighting a 5-kilometre steep, downhill section between Kima and Salama towns in Mukaa Sub County as a critical blackspot. This stretch, which has claimed numerous lives over the years, was the site of a fatal collision on Saturday that left 17 people dead. Milili, speaking at Mlima Kiu, emphasized that the area has a history of collisions involving heavy trucks and passenger vehicles, resulting in 'untold pain' for affected families. She called on the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to transform the entire 461-kilometre highway into a dual carriageway to enhance safety.
The DG’s remarks followed a tragic accident on Saturday, where 17 individuals perished in a multi-vehicle collision on the Mlima Kiu stretch. Makueni County Commissioner (CC) Khalif Abdullahi confirmed that six injured victims had been discharged from Sultan Hamud Sub County Hospital, while the trailer driver with severe head injuries was transferred to Makueni County Referral Hospital for specialized care. Abdullahi pledged to collaborate with KeNHA and other authorities to assess blackspots along the highway in the county and implement measures to prevent further fatalities.
Abdullahi also addressed road safety concerns, urging motorists to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which he said endangers pedestrians and travelers. He warned against speeding and reckless overtaking at bends, hills, and junctions, stressing the importance of adhering to traffic regulations to ensure road safety. The commissioner’s statements underscored the need for both infrastructure improvements and behavioral changes to reduce accidents on the highway.
Milili reiterated her call for the national government to prioritize the highway expansion, citing its role in alleviating congestion and minimizing accidents. Abdullahi confirmed that the county government would engage relevant stakeholders to conduct a comprehensive review of high-risk areas. The incident has reignited discussions about the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and stricter enforcement of traffic laws to protect lives on one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors.