BY SHABAN OMAR
TheΒ East Africa Oil and Gas Company (EAGOL), in partnership withΒ SafaricomΒ andΒ traffic police in Kwale County, has launched a comprehensive road safety campaign dubbedΒ βTufike Poa Na EAGOL.β
The initiative seeks to address the rising number of road accidents across Kenya, particularly during the festive season when road travel increases significantly.
The campaign focuses onΒ long-distance drivers,Β encouraging them to take regular breaks to combatΒ fatigue,Β a leading yet often overlooked cause of road accidents.
EAGOL Chief Executive OfficerΒ Abdi AliΒ said that fatigue is aΒ βsilent killerβΒ on Kenyan roads, noting that many drivers either ignore its symptoms due to tight schedules or lack awareness of its dangers.
βFatigue is responsible for numerous road accidents, yet it is largely overlooked by drivers who fail to recognize its deadly effects. We are encouraging all road users, especially long-distance drivers, to take frequent breaks, stretch, hydrate, and recharge during their journeys,β he said.
Ali said that the campaign aims toΒ raise awarenessΒ about the dangers of driver fatigue while promoting aΒ culture of road safety.
He said that the initiative is not only aboutΒ reducing road accidentsΒ but also about improving the overallΒ health and well-being of drivers.
“The well-being of drivers is critical to ensuring safer roads. By encouraging regular breaks and adherence to traffic rules, we aim to make road safety an integral part of professional driving. Taking breaks is not a sign of weakness or delay, but a step toward saving lives,”Β said Ali.
The CEO also urged drivers to ensure their vehicles are in excellent condition before setting out on the road.
Ali said that, as part of the campaign,Β EAGOLΒ has introducedΒ free rest stopsΒ at all its petrol stations across East Africa.
He said the stops will offerΒ refreshmentsΒ and a comfortable space for drivers to rest during their journeys, helping them stay alert and reduce accidents caused by fatigue.
In addition, EAGOL is leveraging itsΒ mobile appΒ toΒ reward driversΒ who demonstrate safe driving practices, further encouraging responsible behavior on the roads.
Ali said the drivers who will meet the safety standards will be eligible for rewards, ranging from fuel discounts, free data bundles and refreshments to other benefits.
βBy offering rewards for good driving behavior, we aim to motivate drivers to adopt safer practices,β he said.
He said the campaign comes at a critical time when Kenya has witnessed a surge in road fatalities.
Ali said through βTufike Poa Na EAGOL,β the company aims to create a cultural shift in how road safety is perceived.
The CEO stressed that road safety should be viewed as a professional responsibility rather than an inconvenience.
The campaign is expected to run throughout the festive season and into the coming year, ensuring continuous reinforcement of its message.
Safaricom Relations Executive, Alex Okoth,Β praised the initiative, highlighting that it would complement existing efforts to reduce road accidents.
He emphasized that the campaign is timely and that all stakeholders must work together to address the growing crisis on the roads.
“Encouraging drivers to rest and providing them with the necessary facilities will make a huge difference,”Β said Okoth.
He also said that the initiative includes aΒ loyalty program,Β which rewards drivers who refuel atΒ EAGOL stationsΒ using theΒ M-Pesa app.
Okoth said drivers will earnΒ loyalty pointsΒ with every refuel, which can later be redeemed forΒ Bonga PointsΒ orΒ data bundles,Β offering an additional incentive for safe driving and regular breaks.
βThis loyalty program is an added incentive to encourage drivers to choose EAGOL stations for their refueling needs. By using M-Pesa, drivers not only enjoy convenience but also gain valuable rewards that can enhance their connectivity and access to other services,β he said.
