At least 13 people have died, while 11 others are nursing serious injuries following a grisly road accident involving three vehicles on the Sotik- Kericho Highway in the Cheptangulke area of Bomet County.
The accident occurred on Saturday afternoon after three vehicles, a personal car, a 14-seater matatu and a truck, collided with each other, killing several passengers on the spot.
Following the accident, a team of rescuers from the Kenya Red Cross Society and the area traffic police officers arrived at the scene and helped remove the victims from the wreckage.
While confirming the crash, Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok said those injured had been rushed to nearby hospitals, including the Kaplong Mission Hospital.
"Rescue teams from Kaplong Mission Hospital, the County Government of Bomet, the County Government of Kericho, the Kenya Red Cross and the Kenya Police have evacuated the injured to nearby hospitals to receive urgent medical attention," he added.
Videos and images shared online showed the matatu extensively damaged with a shattered windscreen, broken seats and windows and deflated tyres, depicting the extent of the accident.
On the other hand, the white truck was recorded leaning on one side across the road and damaged on its front side, while the personal car was also reduced to a wreck.
The latest accident adds to the number of road crashes witnessed across the country this week. The Sotik carnage comes barely hours after 13 people were rushed to Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital for treatment after getting involved in an accident on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.
The accident, which occurred yesterday evening, took place after a Tahmeed Coach from Mombasa to Nairobi reportedly developed brake failure and rammed into several vehicles, including a matatu.
Meanwhile, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Thursday, April 3, called on all players within the road transport sector to put measures in place to ensure safety on roads.
NTSA noted that it would work closely with the National Police Service (NPS) to crack down on non-compliant drivers, particularly during this easter season. "In the past, the country witnessed cases of reckless driving, distractions by students, and unfortunately, some of the incidents led to fatal and serious injuries," NTSA noted.
"Through close collaboration with law enforcement, parents/guardians, school management, transport service providers and school children, such incidents can be prevented," the Authority added.
