The driver of the ill-fated bus that crashed at Fort Ternan in Kericho on Wednesday had been hired two days before the accident on a temporary basis.
According to the Standard, a driver named Francis Mwangi working with the Eldoret Bus explained that Lucas Abdala was not supposed to be behind the wheel on the day of the crash.
“Hiyo gari haikuwa na lining. Ilikuwa imekwisha kabisa (the vehicle did not have brake linings, they were completely worn out),” stated Mwangi.
He further revealed that Abdala had been brought in on a temporary basis after the designated driver of the bus had refused to make the trip.
“Dereva alikataa hawezi endesha hiyo basi hadi ibadilishiwe lining. Ndio huyu dereva mwingine akaletwa kama mtu wa squadi (the driver declined to drive the bus until the brake linings were changed so they decided to bring on a temporary one).” remarked the Eldoret bus driver.
Mr Mwangi highlighted Abdala as a very careful driver for the 15 years he knew him and had never seen him use any drugs.
Abdala’s relatives revealed that he had previously worked for Matunda Bus Company and resigned three days before getting a job with the Western Cross Express.
They further expounded that he had been a driver for nearly 50 years and his record on the road stood out as he had never been involved in an accident.
Johnston Chogo, who is Abdala’s cousin, narrated that he had left for Tanzania at the age of 19 following the death of his father to attend a driving school which was paid for by a good samaritan.
He remained in Tanzania until he turned 25 and came back to Kenya where he got a job as a driver with the Kenya Pipeline Company.
