Tragically, six individuals lost their lives, and more than a dozen sustained injuries in two distinct road accidents that occurred in Bungoma and Kericho counties.
According to police reports, these accidents took place on Saturday evening.
The first incident unfolded on Saturday afternoon when a log-laden trailer lost control and overturned onto a matatu in the Chomoi area along the Eldoret–Webuye Highway. This devastating crash resulted in the deaths of three people and left several others injured.
The Toyota Hiace matatu, operated by North Rift Shuttle, was en route to Webuye from Eldoret carrying 11 passengers when the trailer, traveling in the opposite direction, collided with it, causing the trailer to overturn and temporarily block the highway.
Felix Oloktar, the 34-year-old driver of the matatu, tragically died at the scene, along with two unidentified female passengers. Among the injured was a police officer from Liboi Police Station, who suffered minor leg injuries and is currently receiving treatment. Other passengers experienced varying degrees of injuries and were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals.
The deceased have been taken to the Village of Hope Hospital mortuary, where they await identification and postmortem examinations.
Police promptly visited the scene to launch investigations while efforts continued to clear the wreckage and reopen the highway. The damaged vehicles will be towed to the police station for inspection, and initial investigations into the cause of the crash are underway.
In a separate incident, three pillion passengers, including a juvenile, lost their lives in an accident on Saturday evening in the Baseline area along the Muhoroni–Londiani road in Fort Ternan, Kericho County.
This crash occurred around 6 PM when a Toyota matatu from Molo Bright SACCO was heading towards Muhoroni. Police reported that a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, traveling in the opposite direction towards Londiani, suddenly veered into the wrong lane and collided head-on with the matatu.
The motorcycle, ridden by a driver carrying three pillion passengers, had none of the four occupants wearing helmets or reflective jackets. Tragically, two women and a female juvenile traveling as pillion passengers died at the scene, while the rider suffered serious head injuries and a fractured left leg. Three passengers in the matatu also sustained injuries.
All injured individuals were taken to Fort Ternan Subcounty Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were moved to St Vincent Mortuary, awaiting identification and postmortem examinations.
Police are actively investigating the scene and have towed both the matatu and motorcycle to Fort Ternan Police Station for inspection. Investigations into the cause of this tragic collision are ongoing.
On Saturday night, police reported that 19 people lost their lives in various accidents across the country, including ten pedestrians, three pillion passengers, three passengers, two drivers, and a rider. Additionally, 19 individuals sustained serious injuries.
Authorities are diligently investigating these incidents, which come amid a campaign aimed at addressing road safety concerns. These accidents have not only claimed lives but have also left many families facing significant financial burdens, deeply impacting their lives.
