Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga wants the government to develop satellite medical clinics and put on standby fire trucks and ambulances along all highways to enhance road safety.
In a Notice of Motion, the lawmaker said the provision of amenities to provide emergency services to road accident victims would save lives lost daily on major roads.
“I will lay to rest one of my nephews whom I lost through a road accident at the age of 21. Therefore, I feel that this Motion is very important to us,” he told the House.
He said the government needs to set up safe stopping points for road users at regular intervals with the necessary roadside amenities such as fuel stations, parking spaces, restaurants, telephone booths, minor repair shops, medical facilities and toilets.
“Lack of these points make it impractical for drivers to stop as often as they would wish to, resulting in driving-related fatigue, which is a significant contributor to accidents on the highways,” the senator said.
He said governments across the world such as France and Germany have taken on the task of setting up such amenities through different models of Public Private Partnership, lease or ownership.
Wamatinga said Kenya National Highway Authority, in collaboration with the Council of Governors, should come up with a policy framework on the incorporation of road reserves for roadside amenities.
“Ministries of Health, Roads, Transport and Public Works in conjunction with the Council of Governors should survey to ascertain the specific amenities required but not available on the existing highways and identify the most convenient locations to develop them,” he proposed.
He said the two should develop Public Private Partnership guidelines on leasing the road reserves to developers.
