Concerns over road safety on the Southern Bypass have intensified after the Motorists Association of Kenya called for the immediate installation of a concrete median. The group says the highway has become a hotspot for fatal head-on collisions due to the absence of the barrier.
In a statement on social media, the association criticised the Kenya National Highways Authority for allowing the road to open without proper safety measures, calling the move careless and endangering drivers.
"The failure to install a concrete median on the Southern Bypass has turned this critical highway into a hotspot for deadly head-on collisions. Those responsible for approving the completion certificate must be held accountable for this glaring oversight. We urgently demand the immediate construction of the median to prevent further loss of life and restore the safety that should be guaranteed on a dual carriageway designed for high-speed travel," the association said.
The group also referenced the Karai tragedy in 2016, where 40 people died following a poorly marked speed bump, arguing that lessons from that disaster were ignored.
"We will hold KeNHA fully responsible," said MAK.
Concrete medians are crucial in preventing vehicles from drifting into oncoming traffic and also help stop illegal turns and U-turns that frequently cause crashes.
The warning comes days after a crash on January 24 near the Lang’ata underpass, close to Wilson Airport and the Carnivore Restaurant. A fuel tanker heading to Kikuyu lost control after hitting a pavement, collided with a lorry, and toppled onto the road below.
The tanker caught fire, engulfing nearby vehicles and damaging three cars parked at a local car wash. Traffic officers from Lang’ata cordoned off the area, while the highway authority temporarily closed the Southern Bypass towards Mombasa Road, redirecting vehicles through Lang’ata Road.
Emergency crews worked to extinguish the flames and clear debris, and the highway was partially reopened once safety checks were completed.
