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{
    "id": 770550,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/770550/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 25,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wetangula",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Minority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 210,
        "legal_name": "Moses Masika Wetangula",
        "slug": "moses-wetangula"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity to also send my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost lives in road accidents. One of the papers today says we lost 72 lives in 24 hours. In particular, the accident that occurred in Kamukuywa bridge in Bungoma, my county, where a family and close family friends from Vihiga County, Mahanga Village, coming from a very hearty visit to their daughter married in trans Nzoia, met instant death because of recklessness on our roads. From information available, a sugarcane ferrying truck had rolled on the road. There was no sign or reflector placed anywhere to indicate that there was danger ahead and this Nissan matatu rammed into this track and there was the tragedy. We are losing too many lives on our roads. As I send my condolences to the families and friends of those who perished both in Bungoma County and Salgaa, I join what the distinguished Senator for Vihiga County has said and even go further; the owner of that truck and the driver – more particularly, the driver because I do not think the owner is vicariously responsible in a situation like that –is a candidate for a charge of homicide. I do not want for us to see that that truck driver will be arraigned in court with dangerous parking or careless driving. Such a person is not any different from criminals who butcher people every other day in the inner cities of our country. Losing eight members of your family, leave alone one, is not an easy thing. I saw this gentleman yesterday on television and it was something to behold. Of even particular importance to note, is the accident at Salgaa where NTSA were chasing a truck on the highway in a manner that you see in Hollywood movies. If a truck had passed a road block, one would expect common sense that they can call the next road block and tell them that there is such a tuck coming, stop it. They were chasing a truck and in a state of panic, the truck driver ripped off vehicles, terminating lives instantly. Today, I saw the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NST--- Whatever it is called. No wonder, I cannot even remember it because it is not functioning. I saw him justifying the act of his officers. A person like that, if he cannot reconsider his position, should be sacked, forthwith, because he is unable to handle the docket that he has been given to do. I urge the courts to be very tough on dangerous drivers, the police to act prudently, diligently and with speed to bring such drivers to book and take them to court. In comparable jurisdictions, a driver like that is given no opportunity to drive ever again. His licence must be cancelled and should never be considered to be put on the road to drive again. That is part of the punishment that such people get so that we learn that every choice, intended or unintended, has serious consequences. Let me finish by urging the Government --- I saw yesterday the President decrying accidents. The duty of the President is not to decry; it is to act. We want to see The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}