Sonko helps raise Sh6m for staff who lost nine relatives
Well-wishers on Tuesday raised Sh5.9 million to help a member of Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko’s security detail who lost nine members of his family in a tragic accident.
Chris Mmbwanga’s relatives died on the night of December 11, in a crash that occurred along Kitale-Webuye highway.
During the accident that involved eight vehicles, eight other people died. A lorry transporting maize crashed into a matatu from behind, forcing it to hit several other vehicles that were ahead.
Mr Mmbwanga, a resident of Mahanga in Vihiga lost his brother, Godfrey Oguso, his sister Joyce Oguso, his nieces and nephews and other family members.
Mr Sonko led 10 County Executive Members and Mr Mmbwanga’s close friends to raise Sh5,912,500 at the Laico Regency Hotel Nairobi.
The Governor, who contributed Sh3,1007,00 said President Uhuru Kenyatta contributed Sh1 million, while Nasa co-principal Musalia Mudavadi contributed Sh100,000.
SURPASS MARK
“We were targeting at least Sh3 million, but by God’s grace we have been able to surpass the Sh5 million mark,” the governor said.
Several people among them Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) commandant Munga Nyale and Nairobi businessman Stanley Livondo attended.
The mass burial for the nine family members will be held on Sunday, December 23 in Mahanga Village, Vihiga County.
In just two weeks, accidents have claimed the lives of 180 people.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiangi announced that the government is restructuring the Traffic Police Department as one of the measures to curb road carnage.
DRIVING SCHOOLS
Dr Matiang’i also recommended an overhaul of the driving curriculum and a fresh registration of all driving schools in the country which he said, were “giving driving licenses to murderers”.
Transport CS James Macharia said the government had mapped out risky areas in the country and was in the process of implementing improvements on the road between Kibunja and Salgaa.
“Three emergency runaway truck-rumps will be constructed and a lorry brakes temperature checking point and holding yard will be constructed at Kibunja,” Mr Macharia said.
The CS appealed to all road users to ensure that they play their role in ensuring that they are safe on the roads, by adhering to traffic rules and speak against reckless road use.
He asked motorists to report reckless road use to an NTSA Hotline- 0718555999 or call the police hotline numbers.