Three people sustained injuries in Modogashe on Monday after a collision involving two motorcycles.

Local authorities confirmed that the victims were rushed to Garissa County Referral Hospital following the incident.

According to hospital officials, one of the patients, described as being in critical condition, has since been referred to Nairobi for specialized treatment.

Another victim was discharged after receiving emergency care, while the third remains admitted at the Garissa facility.

“The patient who was referred to Nairobi sustained multiple injuries that require advanced medical intervention,” a medical officer at the hospital told Radio Generation, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to brief the media.

The accident has renewed attention on the safety of boda bodas, motorcycle taxis that remain the most common and affordable mode of transport in the region.

Poor road infrastructure and limited enforcement of traffic regulations have fueled a surge in accidents involving motorcycles.

Kenya’s National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has repeatedly flagged boda bodas as among the leading contributors to road accidents.

According to NTSA’s 2024 report, motorcycle-related accidents accounted for more than 40 percent of serious road traffic injuries nationwide.

Local residents say the problem is particularly acute in sparsely populated areas such as Modogashe, where long distances between health facilities mean victims often face delays in accessing emergency treatment.

Ahmed Noor, a Modogashe resident urged the government to invest more in road safety education and to regulate the boda boda sector more effectively.

“We depend on motorcycles for everything — from going to the market to reaching hospitals,” he said.

“But the riders need more training, and there should be stricter rules to prevent accidents like this.”

The Garissa County government has previously partnered with local NGOs to offer safety training programs to boda boda riders, but coverage has been inconsistent, and many riders remain unlicensed.

Doctors at Garissa County Referral Hospital say motorcycle accidents have become a growing public health challenge, stretching already limited resources.

“We attend to road crash victims almost every week,” said Saadia Barre, a senior nurse.

“The lack of helmets and protective gear makes injuries far more severe.”

She urged the county health department to strengthen trauma care services, noting that referrals to Nairobi often delay urgent treatment and increase costs for affected families.

While the injured victims focus on healing, their community is left confronting difficult questions about how to prevent such accidents on the often perilous roads of northern Kenya.

“Accidents like this are avoidable,” said Noor.

“What we need is awareness, regulation, and support for both the riders and the passengers. Without that, the cycle will continue.”