Statistics have it that similar or worse accidents have been caused predominantly by lack of decorum in the part of matatu drivers. They basically own the road and seem to have a set of laws that are in place just for them. As for the other road users, the police seldom show an ounce or iota of leniency should one slightly veer off the road into the pedestrian walk. Forget driving along it for kilometers on end as is the norm on the part of matatus.
My child and now adulthood neighbor and further still, my son’s god-father was staying over at my house about 79 hours ago. We were watching but never really paying much mind to what was transpiring on the TV. His parents had traveled upcountry. Three-quarters of an hour later afternoon on a lazy Sunday, I see the same news on my laptop through the internet; its title termed the accident as the most horrific road carnage within the span of a couple of weeks. Mostly at the site, were the women folk. Crowed, speechless and simply nodding in utter disbelief whilst the men got around rescuing the injured, seamlessly coordinated but not oriented. In all, a truck and a series of saloon cars were involved in an accident. The mangle depicting the same to detail. Hours on, ambulances and cop sirens make it to the scene. Fourteen lives lost. Child and adult wear, personal effects, car parts and blood spread all over the scene with uncoordinated efforts to rescue the now injured but later to be dead persons.
Early the next morning – Monday with the blues and all, the lorry driver who was perceived to be behind the accident is assisted through the court corridors – he depicts a broken left arm and a seemingly broken left leg as well. The case lasted for a record fourteen minutes as certified by my wrist watch – based on all the cases whose proceedings I have ever seen through. With no semblance of remorse in the part of the judge and no need to secure eye witnesses neither evidence, not that there should be any in this case, he’s freed on a K.Sh 1 Million bond. Lest he fails to pay, he gets to cool his heels off at the state penitentiary as a state ‘guest’ for a period of slightly over half a century.
Might sound harsh on the part of the judge to the accused, but I bet it’s even harsher for the relatives of the victims – emotionally. This would be so since my son’s God father almost lost both his parents in the carnage. How about those who actually lost loved ones. Really, my brother’s keeper – blood related or not, I and you need to be. You really may never know who needs your help.
