Photo used for illustration purposes only. Photo: Courtesy.
A Kenyan woman has stirred debate online after weighing in on the rising number of road accidents reported during the festive season, shifting blame from drivers to transport business owners.
In a statement shared on social media, Lexien argued that most public service vehicle (PSV) drivers are being unfairly blamed for crashes, yet the pressure they face from employers is often ignored.
According to Lexien, drivers are required to complete multiple trips in a single day, dropping passengers and immediately being lined up to carry another load back.
She noted that fatigue and sleep deprivation have become common, increasing the risk of accidents on major highways.
She further pointed to parcel and courier companies, claiming that some drivers work through the night transporting goods, then continue with deliveries and collections during the day.
In such cases, she said, drivers only rest briefly during offloading.
Lexien added that drivers who ask for time off risk losing their jobs or missing their daily pay, forcing many to keep working despite exhaustion.
She placed responsibility for road carnage squarely on transport companies, accusing them of prioritising profits over the safety of drivers and passengers.