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{
    "id": 1412509,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1412509/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 235,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ndia, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. George Kariuki",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "guy crashing without a helmet and hurting himself to a level where he cannot be saved, can be avoided. There are many accidents on our roads that are happening due to negligence. We have just come from an event presided over by His Excellency the President at the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC). He was launching the National Road Safety Action Plan. He is very committed to the reduction of the number of deaths on our roads. In the last few years, we have lost an average of 4,000 Kenyans per year. We cannot allow this to continue. That is why all the Government agencies and stakeholders concerned with road safety, including Members of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, gathered to discuss this matter and see how we can help address this problem. In countries like Sweden, I am told that they only lost one-person last year and it was a crisis. The Minister had to do all that needs to be done to make sure that never happens again. In our country, I am told that currently we have over 20,000 Kenyans in hospitals having been involved in accidents. In terms of the effects on our economy, this is very grave. We need to come together as leaders and agree that this has to stop. Our young people eking a living from the boda boda business can get a living by doing things the right way. Riding recklessly on a highway is not something we should encourage. On the issue that my colleague has mentioned on road courtesy, this is something causing a lot of problems on our roads. I use Thika Superhighway every week all the way to Kirinyaga County. You could find a truck driver on this road driving at a very low speed, while his truck is on the right side of the road. This is the case and yet, the road signs are very clear that keep left unless overtaking. You see a matatu driving at a very low speed right in the middle of the road. Then on the left, there is a pickup also driving at a low speed. You are stuck behind trying to overtake them but they do not allow you, and there is nowhere you can pass. We need to emphasise on road courtesy because we cannot continue losing lives the way it is happening. We cannot continue with this trend. It is regrettable. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}