Traders in Limuru town have threatened to take the law into their own hands and construct speed bumps along the main Kwambira-Nairobi road after a Grade 3 pupil was hit by a vehicle on Thursday morning.
The accident occurred near Limuru Town Comprehensive School. The pupil was among a group of learners when she was struck and left on the ground. Witnesses say the screams of other pupils prompted the driver of the pickup truck to speed away from the scene. However, he later drove to the Limuru Town Police Station to report the incident.
Good Samaritans, including teachers, boda boda riders, and traders, rushed to the girl’s aid, carrying her to the nearby Limuru Nursing Home for urgent treatment.
Timothy Karanja, an agitated local trader, noted that when the road was renovated several years ago, several existing speed bumps were never replaced.
”This road used to have five bumps within the town. Now, only two remain, and we feel they are not enough. Vehicles and motorcycles move at very high speeds through this section,” Karanja said. He identified the busiest danger zones as the stretch from Naivas, Shell, and Family Bank up to the Bata Shoe Factory gate.
Another resident, Francis Ndirangu, called on the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to urgently construct bumps and mark pedestrian crossings at these busy spots. Ndirangu alleged that residents have repeatedly appealed to area MP John Kiragu to lobby KeNHA for these safety measures, but their pleas have been in vain.
”We shall lobby for funds from traders, motorists, and parents to buy cement and sand. We plan to construct the bumps at midnight so they are dry by morning,” Ndirangu revealed.
Traffic police officers patrolling nearby arrived at the scene shortly after the accident and later visited the hospital to investigate. Base Commander Chief Inspector Agripina Lugonzo advised parents to escort their children to and from school. She also urged learners to use the Ushirika Plaza footbridge to avoid heavy traffic, noting the high volume of children from both Limuru Town and Limuru Model Comprehensive Schools who cross that road daily.
Stephen Mwangi, a Limuru MP aspirant, urged the incumbent to assist locals in pushing KeNHA for official action. He warned that if the government agency fails to act, the community should not be stopped from protecting themselves.
”Our MP is aware that locals need these bumps. If he fails again, people should not be stopped from constructing their own. This is helping the government where it has failed,” Mwangi said.
Efforts to reach MP John Kiragu for comment were unsuccessful as he did not answer phone calls. However, his office manager, George Gachumi, stated they would look into the issue.
