NTSA Chairman Lt Gen (Rtd) Jackson Ndungu Waweru (in blue suit) and Bamburi Cement Ag Managing Director Erick Kironde (second left) flagging off the pre-Christmas road safety campaign caravan in Mombasa. [Photo/Maxwell Ngala]
Bamburi Cement has embarked on a pre-Christmas campaign to sensitise drivers, bodaboda operators, members of the public and other road users on road safety.The campaign is aimed at reducing the number of road accidents associated with the festive season.Over 1,200 drivers and 1,000 bodaboda operators are set to benefit from the training that will be offered during the campaign.The Bamburi road safety representatives have said they are targeting to train approximately 75,000 people or more in various towns countrywide.The annual campaign that was launched in 2007, has since expanded through partnerships with transporters, the National Road Safety Authority, and other stakeholders including traffic police and non-governmental organisations.The campaign’s caravan was flagged off the company’s Mombasa plant based in Bamburi on Tuesday, and will stop at identified locations in the coastal city before proceeding to Mariakani, Voi, Mtito Andei, Makindu, Sultan Hamud, Salama, Masimba, Machakos Junction, Athi River (Mlolongo) and Salgaa among other stops.The caravan is expected to travel from Mombasa to the border town of Malaba.The targeted locations have been identified as having a significantly large number of bodaboda riders and being key rest points for short and long distance transporters and as well as the general public.“This year’s efforts are not only aimed at ensuring drivers who earn their living on the road are safe, but also consolidate the gains made in previous years,” said Bamburi Cement acting Managing Director Eric Kironde, during the flagging off ceremony.“Through this annual Road Safety Caravan, Bamburi will also have an opportunity to remind drivers about the general requirement to always exercise caution and remain compliant as they drive on our roads every day,” he added.The campaign also aims at reaching out to various road users, especially vulnerable groups such as truck drivers, pedestrians, passengers and children to sensitise them on what constitutes safe behaviour on the road.