Mudavadi joins Iten mourners

Saturday, 26 February 2011 17:07 BY MATHEWS NDANYI

TRAGIC: Mudavadi (R) views coffins of the accident victims

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi was among thousands of mourners in Eldoret who attended special prayers for 12 people who died in a road accident along the Eldoret-Iten road last Saturday.

Bodies of the victims were taken back to the accident scene at Kaptuli about 20 kilometres from Iten town where an interdenominational service was held.

Emotions ran high as church leaders prayed at the accident scene which has been identified as a black spot. A lorry ferrying sand crashed into a matatu that was heading to Iten killing the 12 and injuring seven others.

Mudavadi who was in the convoy that escorted the bodies from Eldoret to the scene said accidents had claimed the lives of many Kenyans and cautioned both drivers and traffic police officers to help implement regulations that would be curb the carnage. "It's a big tragedy for our country to continue losing lives in accidents. Most of these accidents can be avoided and time has come for us to do something about it," said Mudavadi who was accompanied by MPs Lucas Chepkitonyi, Jackson Kiptanui, Margaret Kamar, David Koech, former MP Nicholas Biwott and former envoy Tabitha Seii. Mudavadi called for unity among Kenyans saying road accidents affected everyone.

Rift Valley Deputy PC Wanyama Musiambo and Eldoret Mayor William Rono were also among the mourners at the service. Matatu operators in Eldoret paralysed transport operations as they joined long convoys escorting the bodies from the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary to the scene.

Mudavadi conveyed condolences from Prime Minister Raila Odinga who said most of the accidents in Kenya could be avoided if traffic police officers remained professional in their duties.

The dead were Gladys Jeptoo, Penina Jeptoo Kiprono , Daniel Chepkonga, Prisons Officer Michael Kiptanui, Geoffrey Kemboi , Solomon Kipkemboi , Joyce Ayabei , KMTC student Salome Jepkemoi , Zedekiah Barkote and Geoffrey Kiplagat. Two other victims have not been identified.
Relatives of the victims hope their death will not just be an addition to those who have lost their lives in accidents but a stark reminder that something has to be done to end the road carnage.