33 people have been confirmed dead while six others injured following the Saturday evening accident where a lorry carrying fuel lost control, rammed into 13 other vehicles before bursting into flames along the Nairobi-Naivasha Highway.
Speaking to the media on Sunday morning at Kinungi area where the tragedy occurred Transport Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera indicated that the horrific accident was caused by road bumps mounted on the road.
PS Irungu noted that the driver of the Ugandan-registered Canter (registration number UAK 519C) might not have been aware of the terrain very well since he ran over one of the bumps while speeding hence losing control and ramming into other vehicles.
Several bumps were mounted closely at the area where the accident happened since it is believed to be a black spot.
At the same, NTV’s correspondent on the ground Willy Njiru indicated that members of the presidential security team might have been caught up in the tragic accident while heading back to Nairobi from Bomet where the Head of State was on a tour.
Njiru, who is said to have been among the first journalists to arrive at the scene, said that in addition to the numerous bodies and vehicle parts at the scene, there were bullets and other security equipment scattered all over the ground.
The correspondent, however, contradicted the PS’ version that the accident happened at 9.45 pm stating that the accident occurred at around 8.30pm since he arrived at the scene at exactly 9pm and he filmed 11 vehicles.
Concern has however been raised on why a Canter had been authorised to transport highly inflammable fuel yet the material should be transported by specialised vehicles.
The Nation reports that four victims were taken to the Naivasha Mt Longonot Medical Centre while two were treated and discharged. Two others, according to the Clinical Officer at the facility Dalmas Otumba, were taken to Nairobi hospital for specialised treatment.
According to The Standard, among those who were killed were nine GSU officers whose car was hit by the speeding lorry before it burst into flames. Security personnel sparked tension at the scene as they swiftly moved in to contain the situation and recover all the guns that the GSU officers were carrying.
Normal traffic flow has since been restored on the busy highway.
