While thinking about death is almost taboo for some people, but dying is not as bad as people think-according to a section of people interviewed by Mashariki Newspaper, for this story.
We took the time to survey and reveal some of the most dangerous areas where one can easily die while in Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu,Isiolo, Samburu and Marsabit counties. While the idea of death is something that many were unwilling to talk about, those who agreed to be interviewed said they did so because of death, just like birth, are the only two inevitable things.
Causes of death include disease, accidents, killings, and hunger. While it is impossible to completely avoid death from the above, Stephen Kirito, a psychologist, says it is possible to minimize the chances of dying. “Some medical experts, using modern medicine, can delay the deaths of people suffering terminal diseases such as HIV/Aids, cancer and others.
Some deaths are more likely to happen in some areas than others, due to various factors,” said Mr. Kirito. From dangerous sharp bends and slopes on roads in Meru and Tharaka Nithi, wild animals-infested locations to crime-prone areas, there are many places you are more likely to meet your creator (or the devil), in Meru, and here are some.
Meru
Near wildlife areas
Living near wild animals’ sanctuary can be a dangerous thing, even for adults with hearts of steel. The human-wildlife conflict is sections of Meru, including in places neighboring the Meru National Park, areas near Lewa Conservancy and even around the Imenti forest, all teeming with elephants, buffaloes, poisonous snakes, and other dangerous organisms.
The Nyambene Sub County Hospital Medical Officer Michael Kariuki said in September a woman was gored by a buffalo as she worked in her farm at Kawiru, near the Meru National Park.
The buffalo suddenly charged at her, goring her as it pinned her to the ground, spilling her intestines. On average, Kariuki said, the hospital receives three victims of wild animal attacks in a month.
Stanley Ntongai said they decided to build a wall surrounding their farms after suffering losses running into millions of shillings, and suffering injuries in past attacks.
So there you have it; if you live near a wildlife sanctuary, you are less safe than someone living in, say, Maua town. That does not mean you re-locate, but there are survival and precautionary measures that you can take, and that you can compel the relevant agencies to take, to save your life.
Accidents
The number of deaths and injuries from accidents involving buses, saloon cars, and motorcycles is not small, to say the least. While the accidents at the deadly Nithi Bridge and Subuiga black spots have reduced in recent times, some people recoil in fear when approaching these sections, because of the number of accidents associated with the areas.
While it is not our aim to cause anxiety among drivers and passengers in these routes, it is only right for us to advise drivers to adopt defensive driving in these and other sections, since not all drivers are good at it.
A bad driver along Subuiga, Nithi Bridge, Ngónyi, and other black spots will only increase your chances of leaving this world, so what can you do? It is harmless to ask your driver to slow down when you feel he or she is over speeding or driving dangerously.
It will only hasten your departure from this earth if you don’t do it.
Quarries
The numerous quarries at Mutonga in Igoji East Ward have caused many deaths and injuries after huge boulders and soil caved in on the stone miners below.
Most of the quarries which do not meet the minimum safety requirements have become death traps, as past incidents have revealed. While the government had in the past closed some of the quarries where owners had thrown caution to the wind, and exposed workers to danger by not availing safety gear and taking adequate accident prevention measures, many still operate without licenses. Abandoned quarries have not helped the situation, with drowning cited in some deaths and injuries.
So from the above, you definitely can reason-and draw a logical plan on how you can, to an extent, avoid dying ‘prematurely’. So you could do what you have to, to live as long as possible in this world-by minimizing your presence in some areas.
Because it is logical to conclude that you can reduce your chances of dying, by taking various safety measures. But also seeing as most deaths are caused by diseases, it is also important to eat healthily, exercise more, and avoid smoking and alcohol and stay away from crime-infested locations.
Isiolo
Modogashe town and its environs residents live in fear over either cattle rustling, border dispute or either over pasture and water。More than 20 people lost lives in just one year following recurrent clashes that saw property destroyed, lives lost and scores injured hundreds of herders from North Eastern migrate to parts of Isiolo south with hundreds of livestock in search of pasture and water during drought causing havoc.
Other areas prone to conflict as a result of pasture and water include Kom, Bassa Nyachis, a strategic pasture and water reserves during a dry spell.
Accident blackspot
While in Isiolo a resident or a visitor needs to be careful especially while driving or walking in accident-prone areas like; past Isiolo barrier, Kambi Garba, Maili nane area and the junction between Isiolo and Meru.
Diseases
Areas far from the town many residents are likely to lose their lives as a result of poor health services from the government and also from the private sector.
Embu
In Embu County, poor health facilities, insufficient water supply and over speeding on different roads are among the top means causing deaths regularly.
The Mashariki News learned that more deaths caused by these means are mostly reported in the lower region (Mbeere area) of the County.
The area lacks basic commodities such as piped water forcing locals to fetch it from the crocodile and hippopotamus infested rivers and hydro-electric power dams.
Although the region is surrounded by massive water bodies, it remains unconnected to piped water since the earth was created. Losing lives to water animals during the search of water is normal here. Kiambeere Dam is the main source of water for people living in this place and beyond with some having to go with their children.
Here, locals are also likely to lose lives to hunger. Although their soils are good for farming, the government has not connected the region to enough water for irrigation. On health facilities, locals sought health care services from facilities located far risking their lives on the bumpy roads.
‘’We have no operating health facilities in this area through the government had started constructing a dispensary at Wakaria area that has since stalled,” James Kinyungu, a resident of Wakaria said.
Siphrosa Muthingu, another resident said expectant women are the most affected when their delivery time comes where some of their infants die before arriving at health facilities located afar.
The Kamburu-Kiritiri-Mwea road through Embu town has also claimed many lives. Trails of over speeding probox vehicles ferrying Muguka have been causing deaths through accidents regularly.
The newly constructed Kianjokoma-Kanja-Runyenjes road through Rukuriri in Runyenjes Sub-County has not been left out. It has since claimed tens of lives since it was road tarmacked early this year.
Locals say the road lacks speed bumps and guardrails which help to control the rate of accidents. Preachers who prayed for the road advised drivers among other motorists to be cautious when using the new road since they had not mastered it.
Samburu
Many areas of Samburu County are exposed to banditry attacks resulting from many cattle rustling activities, cases of attacks and deaths have been reported in Baragoi area, Suguta valley and along the highways that led to Maralal and Wamba towns. Being a semi-arid area, residents, and visitors of Samburu County cannot access good medical care especially in rural areas; statistics show that diseases have killed many people in Samburu villages.
Ewasonyiro River is inhabited by dangerous animals like crocodiles and snakes; this makes it another dangerous area where one can easily get attacked.
Marsabit
The number of deaths caused by cattle rustling and revenge attacks in the county of Marsabit have been increasing for a couple of years now. Despite the government promising stakeholders that the situation will be improved, it is still very dangerous for people who reside and visit various rural villages in Marsabit.
It is advisable for people with activities in the Marsabit hot spots to take care and seek government support for security.
Areas of Maikona, Turbi are among the places where scores of people have lost their lives as a result of shooting by bandits. Drought has also contributed to the loss of lives not only to the children but also to the elderly.
Just like Samburu poor health services have greatly contributed to the number of deaths caused by diseases. The Isiolo Moyale highway is another area where deaths are reported as a result of banditry attacks and accidents caused by over speeding motorists who sometimes hit crossing animals. It is of the essence for stakeholders to play their roles in protecting lives in various life-threatening places.
