At least five people have lost their lives in a fatal road accident along the Kericho-Nakuru Highway on Sunday, August 29.
Kericho County Police Commander Silas Gichunge confirmed that the three died on the spot while two others died while receiving treatment in hospital.
Gichunge added that the accident was caused by a tyre burst on its left rare wheel near Jabat area in Londiani, Kericho County. This caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
The matatu veered off the road to the right side and rolled several times before landing in a ditch full of stones.
Londiani OCPD Joseph Mutungi confirmed that five other passengers who were injured have been rushed to the Londiani Sub-County Hospital for further treatment.
Two of them are in stable condition at the facility while the other three have since been transferred to Kericho Referral Hospital.
Occupants of the matatu had hired the 14-seater matatu to ferry them from Nakuru to Kisumu to attend a birthday party for one of them.
Michael Bright, among the occupants of the vehicle recalled how the events leading to the accident unfolded.
"We were on the way to Kisumu for a road trip. On reaching the accident scene, I heard the sound of a tyre burst. The next thing I knew the vehicle was flipping and rolling," Michael recalled.
Despite sustaining fractures, Michael was concerned about the whereabouts of his brother who has aboard the vehicle with him.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Molo sub-county hospital mortuary for identification.
