Political temperatures are rising as Kenya edges closer to the 2027 general election, and now road safety has emerged as a fresh point of debate following a tragic accident in Kisumu that claimed 26 lives.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga joined mourners in Nyakach for the funeral of the victims, describing the deaths as a painful moment not only for the community but for the entire country.
During the service, Raila faulted the controversial design of the Mamboleo roundabout—where the bus ferrying mourners collided with a trailer. He said the site’s engineering flaws must serve as a lesson to avoid repeating such mistakes elsewhere.
The ODM leader also recalled a near-death experience of his own decades ago, when his car lost brakes on a steep Kisumu hill. “I survived only because the roundabout did not exist then,” he said.
In a dramatic turn, residents woke up the next morning to find the roundabout demolished overnight and replaced by heaps of soil. Raila welcomed the government’s swift intervention, calling it proof that leaders had listened to public concerns. But he warned that the response must not stop there.
“This tragedy should be treated as a national wake-up call,” he said. “Future road designs must prioritize safety to prevent similar disasters.”
According to hospital officials, 26 survivors are still receiving treatment at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The Kisumu crash has reignited debate on Kenya’s road infrastructure, raising pressure on both local and national governments to act decisively on safety reforms.
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