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"id": 1420868,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1420868/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Faki",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13211,
"legal_name": "Mohamed Faki Mwinyihaji",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I stand pursuant to Standing Order No.52(1) to make a Statement on a matter of general topic of concern, namely, the escalating incidents of road accidents in the country which has led to an alarming number of deaths and injuries among our citizens. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the statistics are sobering. The 2023 economic survey reports rising road accident fatalities to 4,690 in 2023 from 4,579 in 2022, indicating a distressing increase of approximately 2.4 per cent. However, there is a silver lining on this. In its recent report, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) notes a decrease in road deaths to 3,609 by October 2023, suggesting that our collective efforts to curb this menace are bearing fruit. Despite this progress, the annual loss of over 3,000 lives to road accidents, which caused our economy up to 3 to 5 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is unacceptable. Most of these fatalities are men, particularly those aged between 30 and 34, representing a significant drain on our country’s potential. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the pattern of these tragic accidents reveals that the majority occur during weekends and on holidays from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. being particularly dangerous. Even the recent accident involving Kenyatta University (KU) students occurred during this time. Drunk driving and reckless behaviour on the roads are primary contributors to these accidents. Pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists bear the brunt of this crisis with the recent data from February 2024 showing that out of 659 road deaths, 259 were pedestrians. In the light of this, the Government has partnered with St. John’s Ambulance to establish trauma centres along key highways like the Mombasa-Malaba Highway. This is commendable. These centres, 19 of which are already in operation, are crucial in providing immediate care to accident victims, thereby reducing fatalities and serious injuries. The two which are very active are the one at Emali and the other one at Kinungi. However, the reach of this initiative must be extended. The highways that traverse our counties are yet to benefit fully from this noble effort. With St. John's Ambulance shouldering an annual expense of approximately Kshs400,000 per trauma centre, there is a compelling case for county governments to support and collaborate in this life-saving endeavour I, therefore, advocate that the Committee on Health liaises with the Council of Governors (CoG) to bolster this project. Our commitment to reducing road accidents and enhancing emergency response mechanisms will not only save lives, but also significantly alleviate the social and economic impacts of road accidents in our nation. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I urge all stakeholders to unite in addressing this urgent issue, ensuring that road safety measures we implement are robust and effective in preserving the lives and well-being of our people. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}