Busia senator Okiya Omtatah has called on the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) to urgently improve and upgrade the condition of the Kisumu-Busia highway, warning that continued delays are putting lives at risk.

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In a statement on Tuesday, June 16, Omtatah described the road as one of the dangerous transport corridors in the western region, citing frequent accidents, deteriorating road conditions, and inadequate safety measures.

According to the senator, large sections of the road remain riddled with potholes, poor markings, inadequate signage, narrow carriageways, and dangerous bottlenecks.

"For years, the Kisumu-Busia road has been a source of pain and frustration for thousands of motorists, passengers, traders, and families who rely on it every day," Omtatah stated.

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He argued that many of the accidents occurring along the corridor are preventable and blamed poor road conditions and delayed interventions for contributing to the loss of lives.

"Every week, we hear of another tragic accident. Families lose loved ones. Breadwinners never make it home. Children are left without parents. These are not unavoidable tragedies," he stated.

Omtatah called on KeNHA to provide clear timelines for planned upgrades and expansion works on the road.

Among his demands is the immediate repair of the damaged sections along the 352-kilometre highway , the publication of a roadmap for the upgrading and expansion of the highway, as well as the dualling of identified black spots and high traffic market centres.

"Specifically, I demand Immediate repair of dangerous potholes and damaged sections along the entire Kisumu-Busia corridor, A clear and publicly available roadmap for the upgrading and expansion of this highway, including the dualing of identified blackspots and high-traffic market centres and Urgent implementation of road safety measures, including proper signage, visible road markings, pedestrian crossings, and traffic calming measures in school and market areas," the senator said.

He also called for the urgent implementation of road safety measures, including proper road signage, visible lane markings, pedestrian crossings, and traffic-calming interventions in school zones and market areas.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke