National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka at Sipala Secondary School on Saturday /HILTON OTENYO FAMILIES
of victims of the Webuye road accident that claimed 16 lives on Monday have
received Sh13.5 million to help cover funeral expenses and medical bills.
The money
was raised during a harambee presided over by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula at Sipala
Secondary School in Webuye East constituency on Saturday.
The
contributions included Sh7.5 million from President William Ruto, delivered by the
Speaker, and Sh2 million raised by Wetang’ula together with a group of MPs.
Wetang’ula
also announced that an inter-denominational memorial service for the victims
would be held on Monday in Webuye town.
“We have
planned an inter-denominational service for the victims before providing
vehicles to ferry the bodies of their loved ones to their respective homes for
burial,” Wetang’ula said during the event.
He said
leaders and residents were still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy,
particularly one family that lost six members in the accident.
Wetang’ula
thanked President Ruto for the support, adding that the community would
continue standing with the affected families during the difficult period.
“Since
independence, we have not witnessed such a tragic accident in this county where
such a large number of people lost their lives at once,” he said.
“When the
accident happened, I put aside my duties in the National Assembly and travelled
to Webuye with MPs to condole with the families and offer our support.”
He said
leaders from the region and beyond had set aside their political differences to
support the bereaved families.
Wetang’ula
revealed that he had allocated time in the National Assembly for MPs to mourn
the victims and discuss measures to address rising road carnage caused by
long-distance trucks along the Eldoret–Malaba highway.
He added
that he had also held discussions with the Roads cabinet secretary on immediate
interventions to reduce accidents and save lives.
“We
agreed with the CS that bumps be erected along the highway, especially at
accident-prone areas,” he said.
Senate
Majority Chief Whip David Wakoli said more lives could have been saved if
Webuye Subcounty Hospital had been better equipped to handle emergencies.
“Webuye hospital had no functioning ambulance to respond effectively after the tragic
accident,” Wakoli claimed.
However, Governor Kenneth
Lusaka, who was present at the event, dismissed the allegations as untrue.
Lusaka
said the county government had invested resources in the facility because of
its proximity to the busy highway, which often receives accident victims first.
“The ambulances
in various hospitals in the county are those I bought during my first term as
governor. It is unfair to blame me and leave out the one who took over from
me,” he said.
He added
that the county government would cover hospital and mortuary bills for the
accident victims.
MP Nabii
Nabwera said funds from the National Infrastructure Fund, which came into
effect last week, would help accelerate plans to expand the highway into a dual
carriageway to reduce accidents.
“The fund will be a game changer for the country as it will finance the construction of new roads and completion of stalled projects, as well as support other infrastructural development,” he said.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The fundraiser for victims of the Webuye road accident highlights both the scale of the tragedy and the reliance on community mobilisation to support affected families. Political leaders used the event to show solidarity and offer financial assistance, but the discussions also exposed wider concerns about road safety and emergency preparedness along the Eldoret–Malaba highway. Claims about inadequate emergency response at Webuye hospital and calls for infrastructural changes, including bumps and expansion of the highway, point to systemic challenges in managing frequent accidents on the busy transport corridor. The tragedy is likely to renew pressure on authorities to strengthen road safety enforcement and improve emergency response systems.
