Several people are feared dead and dozens injured following a tragic road accident on Wednesday morning at Daraja Mbili in Kisii County.
The incident involved a trailer truck that reportedly lost its brakes while descending from Kisii town, crashing into multiple vehicles and pedestrians at the busy market centre.
According to the Motorists Association, the trailer was headed downhill when the driver appeared to lose control. Eyewitnesses said the vehicle was speeding as it approached the market, sparking panic among traders and commuters.
They added that the area has been a notorious blackspot that has claimed the lives of many residents and road users in the past.
''Our brothers have fatally lost their lives here. This is a notorious spot that has been harbouring accidents on several occasions. We want to appeal to the county government and the national government to intervene,'' Gabriel Ondieki, witness, narrated.
''Three weeks ago, there was also another accident in the same spot, and therefore, the government should act with speed.''
In a desperate attempt to stop the truck, the driver swerved through the congested road but ended up crashing into a tuk-tuk, a Probox, several motorcycles (boda bodas), and roadside stalls.
Women selling vegetables at the busy roadside market were among those caught in the chaos.
The scene quickly turned into a rescue operation as passersby and first responders worked to pull the injured from the wreckage.
Police officers, led by the Kisii County Commander and medics from Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, arrived shortly after to provide emergency assistance.
The residents now demand an expansion and dualing of the dangerous stretch that has claimed many lives to avert similar situations in the future.
Additionally, they demanded that the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) and Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) install safety features on the road.
