Unknown people dug up and demolished the Coptic Roundabout on the Kisumu–Kakamega Road in what many view as an attempt to remove it, following frequent road accidents attributed to its contentious design.
It was destroyed in the early hours of Saturday morning, with the intention of turning it into a freeway accessible on the dual carriageway to prevent more accidents.
The move came amid calls by leaders, locals, and experts for the Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) to redesign the road to avert future accidents.
The scene of the accident at Coptic Roundabout, Kisumu, on August 8, 2025.
Photo credit: Angeline Ochieng | Nation Media Group
The vandalism occurred at around 2 am on Saturday, the same day 22 of the accident victims were being laid to rest in Naki, Nyakach, where a mass burial was taking place.
There were claims that Kenha had moved to demolish the roundabout, but Nyanza Regional Director Engineer Julius Mac'Odero told Nation by phone that the action was neither sanctioned by his office nor the Authority.
"This action was not sanctioned by us. This is not only criminal in nature but reckless and endangering people's lives. We are trying to find out who did it because it has complicated the issue even further—worse still, it was done at night.
"While we appreciate the challenges on the road, no one is allowed to cut the road apart from us, as we know how to do it professionally and take all the safety precautions," said the Nyanza Kenha Regional Director.
He stated that he had dispatched a team to the site to assess the destruction and ameliorate the issue.
"We have to secure the area immediately and put in some mitigation measures before darkness falls, because as it stands, it is dangerous for motorists plying that route," said Mr Mac'Odero.
He confirmed that the destruction occurred at a time when Kenha is undertaking a study to review that particular section of the road.
He asked the public to have faith in them as professionals to look into the matter and not engage in practices that may further endanger motorists' lives.
A bus ferrying mourners that overturned at Coptic Roundabout on August 8, 2025, killing more than 20 people.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
"We are actually undertaking a study to review this section of the road. The public should not lose confidence in us as professionals. The design is okay, but not set in stone. Of course, we see vehicles plying that route every day and it is safe for them, but we are now being forced to go further than the conventional design, looking at emerging issues and also through different lenses to find a long-lasting solution," said Mr Mac'Odero.
The debate on the design of the road has been ongoing for a while, with locals arguing that it makes it difficult for heavy-duty vehicles to navigate the bend at the roundabout, leading to accidents.
Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong’o said he was already in talks with the national government to have the road redesigned, fearing that if this is not done, the road will continue to claim innocent lives.
“A lot of accidents have occurred at the scene. What I have noticed is that as a vehicle comes down the hill, even when not speeding, the road features make it impossible to negotiate the roundabout,” said Prof Nyong’o.
The scene of the accident at Coptic Roundabout, Kisumu, on August 8, 2025.
Photo credit: Angeline Ochieng | Nation Media Group
But Kenha has, on the other hand, cautioned that removing the roundabout is not an option since drivers will have a longer free flow, which may be risky to oncoming vehicles and other road users.
According to the Authority, the roundabout design meets the required standards, including three lanes that provide vehicles with a bigger turning radius.
Kenha has also considered introducing more bumps, but according to the Authority, this would reduce the level of service satisfaction for road users while increasing stress on the pavement and raising road maintenance costs.
The scene of the accident at Coptic Roundabout, Kisumu, on August 8, 2025.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Mr Mac'Odero said the problem with introducing more bumps is that, since they are dealing with trucks and buses, the vehicles are likely to lose stability at the roundabout and cause more accidents.
In an effort to reduce accidents around the roundabout, Kenha has already introduced road signs, markings, and rumble strips to control speed while approaching it.
