Rescue centres to lower road accident deaths

By Mark Kapchanga

Kenya: The number of Kenyans dying through road carnage may significantly drop following the launch of highway rescue centres in practically all black spots in the country.

The plan will see the number of deaths as a result of poor handling at accident scenes drop drastically.

St John Ambulance Kenya says about 57 per cent of victims of road accidents die due to mishandling at the scene.

“There are over 15 rescue centres in the country, with each having an average of 28 personnel who are trained to respond to fatalities,” said St John Ambulance Kenya Communications Manager Fred Majiwa.

Each centre is equipped with first aid facilities and stretchers together with ambulances in case of emergencies.

Commitment of officers

The rescue centres, to be managed by volunteers, are located in Mombasa, Voi, Sultan Hamud, Kyumbi, Kangemi, Kinungi, Salgaa, Naivasha, Awasi, Malaba, Busia, Webuye, Nithi Bridge, Limuru and Makuyu.

“When our resources expand, we will also expand,” said Mr Majiwa.

More than 3,000 people have died this year in road accidents, putting to question the commitment of traffic police officers in ending the carnage.

In the last two weeks, over 30 people have been killed in various parts of the country through road crashes, a situation that has prompted authorities to rethink on how best to handle the crisis.

Sunday, more than 10 lives were lost and over 20 people injured in a bus accident at Sultan Hamud along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.