By Courtesy/ Speaker’s Press Unit (SPU)
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has raised concern over the rising number of road accidents during the festive season, urging police and other authorities to act firmly against reckless drivers to save lives.
Speaking on Christmas Day at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Webuye East Constituency, Bungoma County, where he attended Mass, Mr. Wetang’ula said the region had lost 16 people in two separate road accidents within the past two weeks.
“As we celebrate Christmas, I ask Kenyans to pray for a family from Chevaywa that lost 12 relatives in a tragic accident along Mombasa Road last week, and another family from Ndivisi that lost four members in a crash at Mukhweya along the Eldoret–Malaba Road two days ago,” he said.
The Speaker lamented that many families were unable to reunite with their loved ones during the festive season because of such tragedies, noting that most of the accidents were preventable.
He urged motorists to strictly observe traffic rules and prioritise safety, especially as many Kenyans who missed Christmas celebrations upcountry were expected to travel to welcome the New Year with their families.
“Road safety must be taken seriously. Everyone deserves to reach home safely,” he said.
Mr Wetang’ula welcomed President Dr. William Ruto’s decision to upgrade the Roroni–Eldoret–Malaba Road into a dual carriageway, saying the move would help reduce accidents and ease traffic congestion along the busy highway.
On employment, the Speaker encouraged young people to explore online and overseas job opportunities, citing improved diplomatic relations that have opened up more chances for Kenyans abroad.
He expressed concern that despite more than 120,000 Kenyans working in Dubai and over 85,000 in Qatar, very few were from Bungoma County.
“The Qatar government has offered 8,000 additional visas for jobseekers. I challenge young people from this county to take advantage of these opportunities,” he said.
Mr. Wetang’ula added that the government was ready to support successful applicants by facilitating passports and helping meet travel costs.
He also called on MPs from Bungoma County to work with national government offices to establish a liaison office to assist youths seeking jobs abroad under the Kazi Majuu programme.
On local development, the Speaker said plans to revive the Pan Paper Mill in Webuye Town were at an advanced stage.
He noted that the government had allowed the investor to harvest mature trees to ensure adequate raw materials and that former employees had already been paid long-standing dues.
“The revival of Pan Paper will boost the local economy and create jobs,” he said.
He further announced that KenGen had advertised a tender to construct a power station at Nabuyole along the Webuye–Bungoma Road to stabilise electricity supply in the area.
Bungoma County Woman Representative Hon. Catherine Wambilyanga and Webuye East MP Hon. Martin Pepela praised Mr Wetang’ula for supporting development projects in the county and urged leaders to rally behind him.
Mr. Pepela said Sh165 million had been set aside through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) to build hostels at Webuye KMTC to increase student enrolment.