Meru Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia has called for the rerouting of heavy lorries through bypasses after a road accident in Meru town killed four people and left 21 others injured.
Mutuma said the move would ease congestion and protect pedestrians, traders and motorists following Thursday evening’s accident at Riverland, where a lorry reportedly lost its brakes and rammed into vehicles, boda boda, and people along the road including hawkers.
“I ask the Meru County traffic commander and the municipal manager to authorise rerouting of all heavy lorries to be using bypasses to ease congestion and stop exposing residents to such accidents,” he said.
The governor spoke after visiting the injured in hospital, where he confirmed that 16 of the 21 victims had been treated and discharged.
Meru Level Five Hospital Chief Executive Officer Bernard Murithi said the four victims died at the scene, while two of the injured were scheduled for surgery but remained in stable condition.
County Health Executive Dennis Mugambi said the victims sustained injuries of varying severity, with some requiring surgical intervention while others were treated and discharged.
The accident prompted an emergency response involving county health officials, fire and rescue teams and the Department of Special Programmes.
Deputy Governor Linda Kiome also mourned the victims and wished the injured a full recovery.
The county government pledged continued medical care for those still receiving treatment and commended emergency responders for their swift intervention.
Mutuma expressed condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
He said the County government will wave hospital bills for all the victims of the accident.
Mutuma urged Meru residents to continue registering SHA to insure themselves.
