After recent incident in Salgaa, where a bus lost its brakes due to a driver’s negligence, leading to the loss of 14 lives, a group of young people in Kitui have taken matters into their own hands to prevent a similar disaster.
Last night, a bus traveling from Kitui to Mombasa was spotted by observant Gen Zs individuals in the area, who noticed that the bus was missing its rear tires. Without hesitation, the youths sprang into action, using ropes to secure the bus and prevent it from continuing its journey.
However, their intervention did not stop there. The young people then took the additional step of blocking the road at a roundabout leading to Kitui’s central business district, effectively trapping the bus and preventing it from moving any further.
“We couldn’t just let this bus continue on its way without tires,” said one of the young people involved in the incident. “After what happened in Salgaa, we knew we had to do something to stop this vehicle and prevent another tragedy.”
The driver of the bus, upon realizing the actions of the Kitui youths, made the decision to abandon the vehicle and flee the scene. The young people, determined to ensure the safety of their community, even considered setting the bus on fire to prevent it from being used.
Police arrived at the scene before any further action could be taken, and they were able to diffuse the situation and secure the bus.
The incident in Kitui has once again highlighted the growing frustration and concern among Kenyans, particularly the younger generation, about the seemingly lax safety standards and lack of accountability in the transportation industry.
“We are tired of seeing these kinds of accidents happen, and we feel like the authorities are not doing enough to protect us,” said another young person involved in the incident. “If we have to take matters into our own hands to keep our communities safe, then so be it.”
The Kitui incident has sparked a wider conversation about the need for stricter regulations, better enforcement, and a more proactive approach to road safety in Kenya. As the country grapples with the aftermath of the Salgaa tragedy, the actions of the Kitui youths serve as a stark reminder that the public is no longer willing to sit idly by and wait for change.
“This was a wake-up call for the authorities,” said a community leader in Kitui. “They need to listen to the concerns of the people and take immediate action to address the underlying issues that are putting lives at risk on our roads.”
By CS