One person has died after being knocked down by a speeding vehicle at Chepseon Complex along the Kericho-Nakuru Highway on Tuesday night.
The pedestrian was reportedly attempting to cross the busy highway when an oncoming vehicle travelling towards Kericho struck him, killing him on the spot.
According to eyewitnesses, the driver did not stop after the collision but continued towards Kericho, leaving the victim lying on the road.
The incident sparked anger among residents who accused motorists of speeding along the stretch, saying pedestrians were increasingly exposed to danger when crossing the highway.
In protest, residents barricaded the road, bringing traffic to a standstill and triggering a massive traffic snarl-up that stretched for several kilometres in both directions.
Motorists travelling between Kericho and Nakuru were forced to wait as the demonstration disrupted movement along the busy route. The blockade also affected other road users who were using the highway at the time.
The residents said the latest incident was part of a worrying pattern of fatal accidents along the stretch, claiming that several lives had been lost in similar circumstances.
They called on the relevant authorities to intervene and introduce measures to control vehicle speeds and protect pedestrians using the road.
Among their key demands was the installation of speed bumps around Chepseon Complex to force motorists to slow down, particularly when approaching areas with high pedestrian activity.
The residents argued that vehicles travelling at high speeds leave pedestrians with little opportunity to cross safely, especially at night when visibility may be reduced.
They also urged motorists to exercise greater caution and observe speed limits, warning that careless driving continued to put lives at risk.
Police officers from Londiani and Chepseon police stations were later called to the scene to manage the situation and restore order.
The officers removed the victim's body from the road and transported it to the Londiani Sub-County Hospital mortuary, where it was taken for preservation pending further procedures.
Police also engaged residents and helped clear the highway, allowing traffic to resume after the disruption.
The identity of the deceased had not been established by the time of reporting. It was also not immediately clear whether police had identified the vehicle involved in the crash or arrested its driver.
The reported decision by the driver to leave the scene without stopping is likely to form part of the concerns surrounding the incident as investigations continue.
The accident has renewed calls for improved pedestrian safety along the Kericho-Nakuru Highway, particularly in busy sections where people regularly cross to access nearby homes, businesses and other facilities.
Residents want the authorities to address their concerns before more lives are lost, insisting that practical road safety measures are urgently needed at Chepseon Complex.
For now, the fatal crash has left one family mourning while motorists and residents are once again questioning the safety of the busy highway.
