Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Eliud Lagat has cautioned motorists against reckless driving to avert road carnage.

Lagat said many of the road crashes occurring across the country would have been preventable had the drivers been mindful of other road users and observed the laid-down traffic rules.

He spoke at Kamurguywa in Chesumei, Nandi County, during the burial of Benjamin Kiptoo Sawe, who died after a lorry hit the vehicle he was travelling in at Kinungi.

Sawe was heading to his son’s graduation ceremony at the General Service Unit when the accident occurred.

“There are so many accidents happening which can be avoided. Recently we lost 17 people along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway due to human error,” Lagat said.

He said the number of vehicles and people travelling is expected to rise during the upcoming Christmas festivities, thus increasing the risk of crashes.

“As we gear towards Christmas and the campaign period, a lot of these cases are expected. We are asking all motorists to follow traffic rules so that we can bring these numbers down and avert wanton loss of lives,” he said.

The DIG urged drivers to take responsibility for the safety of other road users.

Meanwhile, Lagat warned those involved in the manufacture and sale of illicit brews and narcotics that police will intensify crackdown on the menace.

He said security teams have stepped up operations in various parts of Nandi, including Baraton, Chepterit, Kapsabet and Mosoriot.

“Recently I issued a warning to those involved in the illicit brews in Baraton, Chepterit, Kapsabet and Mosoriot and we have seen some change. I want to put on notice all those involved in the illegal trade that their days are numbered,” he said.

He said the operation seeks to protect communities and promote a healthy society, adding,  “We want to ensure that we have a healthy society devoid of drugs.”

 by Kosuri Valarie