Police on Sunday, July 25 rescued passengers on their way to Nairobi aboard a faulty bus after being tipped off by a passenger.
The passenger had written to Sikika Road Safety page on Facebook expressing concern over his safety and that of other passengers who were aboard the Nairobi-bound bus.
According to Douglas Ogega, the bus developed mechanical problems at a place called Kegati.
"It's faulty, no brakes and it has issues again with engaging gears[SIC]," read Ogega's message.
Ogega pleaded with the page for help stating that the bus had gone through various police checks unnoticed. He also revealed that the bus SACCO, TSS SACCO, insisted that the passengers continue with the journey.
According to Sikika, the Kisii County Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) alongside the Deputy County Commissioner and the Kisii Base Commander reached out to the page to follow up on the tip-off and quickly responded.
Within an hour, the police tracked down the bus. The bus and passengers were ferried to Kisii Police station, where the police confirmed that it had mechanical problems.
All the passengers were refunded their bus fare by the bus company management.
Passengers have been encouraged to speak up against such incidences that may occur when using public transport. They are also have contacts of emergency service providers such as ambulances.
On Wednesday, July 21, four people died on the spot after a matatu they were travelling in rammed into a stationary trailer. Witnesses claimed that the matatu was speeding during the early morning incident.
In Kenya, more than 2,000 lives are lost annually in road accidents.
