The death of Malaba Deputy Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Tobias Murunga Masake, in a motorcycle accident has earned the wrath of Boda Boda riders who have accused Kenya National Highway Authority ( KeNHA) over its failure to maintain the Angurai-Malaba- Busia road.
Murunga lost his life early Monday morning after his motorcycle was involved in a grisly road accident at the Ketebat area near Kekalet Primary School.
Teso North Officer Commanding police division (OCPD)’ Charles Chepkong’a said the Deputy OCS was involved in the accident at around 2:30 AM in the Ketebat area along the Malaba-Angurai road after his motorcycle lost control when accidentally hit a huge pothole.
Chepkong’a added that the officers from Malaba Police Station responded swiftly to the scene, only on arrival to be shocked to discover that the victim was one of their own.
He was rushed to Kocholia Sub County Hospital in critical condition but succumbed to severe head injuries while undergoing treatment at the health facility.
Boda boda riders Amagoro stage chairman Vincent Okiru said the failure by KeNHA to maintain the busy road commissioned by President Dr William Ruto in September 2016, when he was vice President to Uhuru Kenyatta caused more harm than good not only to boda boda riders but to all road users.
” KeNHA should move with speed and recarpet the 60km road which he claimed had been neglected by the Ruto administration. Okiru said, the road, especially the Malaba Malaba-Busia, is the most affected owing to shoddy job by the contractor and lack of maintenance,” he said.
OCPD Chepkong’a noted that they were suddenned and shocked by the incident, which led to the demise of a young dedicated and hardworking inspector who was committed to his work.
“This is a tragic loss for us. We call upon all road users, especially motorcyclists, to exercise caution and follow traffic regulations, especially when riding at night,”
Chepkong’a noted
Photo: The late Malaba Deputy OCS Tobias Murunga Masake
