Nakuru County women representative Mary Mbugua has challenged the county government to set aside funds in the 2014/2015 budget for the construction of a special lane at the Salgaa black spot.
Ms Mbugua said that the constant road accidents along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway on the Salgaa-Mau Summit stretch could be averted if collective measures between the county and the central governments were taken.
“The constant accidents continue to kill innocent Kenyans. The county government should set aside emergency funds for the construction of a truck lane to safeguard Kenyans,” Mbugua added.
She added that it is prudent to have an emergency fund to facilitate a structural change on the highway so that when local leaders plead with the central government to set aside more funds, the county will have more bargaining power.
“Though the construction of a major highway is an obligation of the central government, the county government cannot just watch as Kenyans continue dying. Action needs to be taken now,” Mbugua said.
There have been constant measures taken by National Transport and Safety Authority to curb accidents at Salgaa, including the installation of speed cameras and a patrol car.
The call for the construction of a special lane for trailers and trucks along the highway has garnered support but the proposal is yet to be factored in the national budget.