At least six people were killed and more than a dozen others injured in two separate road accidents in Bungoma and Kericho counties on Saturday, as police renewed investigations into the country’s rising road carnage.
The first crash occurred at Chomoi along the Eldoret–Webuye highway in Bungoma County when a trailer transporting logs reportedly lost control, collided with a Toyota Hiace matatu belonging to North Rift Shuttle and overturned onto it.
The matatu, which was travelling from Eldoret to Webuye with 11 passengers on board, was crushed beneath the trailer, temporarily blocking the highway.
Police said the matatu driver, 34-year-old Felix Oloktar, died at the scene alongside two unidentified female passengers.
Several other passengers sustained injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals. Among them was a police officer attached to Liboi Police Station, who suffered minor injuries to both legs.
The bodies of the three victims were moved to the Village of Hope Hospital mortuary pending identification and postmortem examinations. Police have launched investigations and arranged for the damaged vehicles to be inspected after being towed from the scene.
In a separate accident at Baseline area along the Muhoroni–Londiani road in Fort Ternan, Kericho County, three pillion passengers, including a juvenile, were killed after a motorcycle collided head-on with a matatu.
According to police, the Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, carrying a rider and three pillion passengers, veered into the path of an oncoming Toyota matatu belonging to Molo Bright SACCO at about 6 p.m.
Two women and a female juvenile died on the spot, while the rider sustained serious head injuries and a fractured left leg. Police said none of the four occupants of the motorcycle was wearing a helmet or reflective jacket.
Three passengers travelling in the matatu were also injured and taken to Fort Ternan Sub-County Hospital for treatment.
The bodies of the deceased were moved to St. Vincent Mortuary awaiting identification and postmortem examinations, while the vehicles were towed to Fort Ternan Police Station pending inspection.
Police said investigations into both accidents are ongoing.
The two crashes were among a series of fatal road accidents recorded across the country on Saturday night, in which police said 19 people lost their lives. The victims included ten pedestrians, three pillion passengers, three passengers, two drivers and one motorcycle rider.
Another 19 people suffered serious injuries in the separate crashes.
Authorities said investigations are continuing as the government intensifies efforts to curb road accidents, which continue to claim lives and leave affected families facing emotional and financial hardship.
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