By Joel Clinton
For years, the Ojola steep along the Kisumu-Busia highway has been viewed as one of the most dangerous parts of the busy road. Despite repeated requests from residents and local leaders, this black spot still sees severe accidents, leaving motorists injured, property damaged, and nearby families living in constant fear. The steep descent, along with a sharp bend and a narrow road, creates a deadly situation for vehicles coming from the Busia direction. Heavy trucks, fuel tankers, and private cars often lose control and overturn, sometimes spilling their cargo onto the highway and causing traffic jams.
Residents say the situation worsened in July, with four Lorries overturning and two separate motorcycle accidents happening that month. These recent events have reignited calls for urgent action from the government and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
Mary Atieno, a small business owner near the steep, mentioned that every accident leaves residents worried for their safety. “We have reached a point where the sound of screeching brakes sends everyone running. Four lorries have overturned here this month alone, and we are afraid that one day a vehicle will crash into our homes or the market. We need this road expanded before more lives are lost,” she said.
The accidents have also impacted businesses; some traders have had to close temporarily during rescue operations or cleanup efforts. Residents say children and pedestrians are especially at risk because there are few safe crossing points.
Peter Ochieng, a boda boda rider who frequently uses the highway, blamed speeding and the poor condition of the road for the constant crashes. “The bend is too sharp, the slope is too steep, and the road is too narrow for the amount of traffic using it. We have rescued many accident victims ourselves because help sometimes takes time to arrive. Installing rumble strips and widening this section would save many lives,” he said.
Residents are now urging both the national and county governments to treat this stretch as an emergency infrastructure project. They want the road widened, proper warning signs posted, speed-reducing measures put in place, and regular traffic enforcement to discourage reckless driving.
Kisumu County Traffic Police Commander Peter Leparsare acknowledged the growing concern and urged motorists to be cautious while plans for long-term improvements are underway. “Ojola steep remains one of the most challenging sections of this highway. We continue to advise drivers, especially those of heavy commercial vehicles, to reduce speed and ensure their vehicles are in good condition before using the route. We are also working closely with the relevant road agencies to improve safety measures along this stretch,” he said.
As accident numbers continue to grow, residents believe that awareness campaigns alone are no longer sufficient. They argue that only lasting engineering solutions and stricter enforcement will stop Ojola steep from taking more lives and solidifying its reputation as one of western Kenya’s deadliest road black spots.
