Residents of Mamboleo in Kisumu County were shocked on Saturday morning to find the Coptic roundabout demolished, just days after a horrific road accident at the site claimed 26 lives and left another 26 injured.

Many locals said they had no prior notice of the demolition, discovering only a mound of soil and debris when they passed by, and suspecting the work may have been done overnight.

By mid-morning, officials from the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) were on site, clearing rubble with heavy machinery while traffic officers directed vehicles along the busy Kisumu–Kakamega Highway.

The sudden action comes amid calls from residents and leaders for urgent safety reviews of the roundabout following the deadly crash.

Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o stressed that any redesign should consider not only the roundabouts but the overall highway layout.

Deputy Governor Mathews Owili described the section as a “death trap” and called for immediate action from the national government.

Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron warned that lives would continue to be lost unless authorities acted, citing “countless” fatalities at the junction.

Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor condemned the roundabouts linking the Coptic, Specialist Hospital, and Grand Royal Swiss Hotel, calling them poorly constructed and “outdated,” and insisted they be replaced with modern designs as seen in developed countries.

South East Nyakach MCA Lumumba Owada also urged swift intervention.

The demolition has left residents puzzled, with questions lingering over who authorized the move. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the demolition or outline plans for the junction’s redesign.