Fresh details have now emerged on how an accident that claimed the lives of 11 people at Tharu River bridge in Embu County happened.
According to witness reports, the fatalities could have been easily avoided were it not for the negligence of the driver of the 20-seater mini-bus.
Area Member of County Assembly (MCA), Newton Kariuki, narrated that the driver of the bus dubbed 'Waridi' attempted to jump-start the bus in the middle of a hill, shortly after refueling it.
"The bus ran out of fuel as it climbed the hill. The driver then went to look for fuel to refill the vehicle. After loading the fuel, he tried to ignite the vehicle, but it failed. He decided to jump-start it in reverse," Kariuki told the media.
Although it remains unclear whether the jump-start was successful or not, witnesses stated that the bus lost control rolling several times before plunging into the river with all the occupants still on board.
Speaking to a motor vehicle expert on Wednesday, Kenyans.co.ke established that jump starting is a trick used to force manual transmission vehicles to ignite. It involves engaging a powerful gear, the second or reverse, and getting the vehicle into motion by pushing or using a slope.
As the vehicle gains momentum, he or she quickly releases the clutch, steps onto the gas pedal and turns on the ignition. Once the engine is on, the driver is supposed to step on the break and return the vehicle to free gear to stop the vehicle with the engine running.
The driver was faulted for not asking the passengers to disembark before trying the manoeuvres.
In addition, National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Regional Director for Eastern, Isaiah Nakoru, stated that the bus was overloaded. It had 61 passengers on board, three times its capacity of 21. In addition, he revealed that the bus had been declared unroadworthy.
"We discovered that this bus was not permitted to operate because the last time it underwent inspection was in 2020, and it was deemed unroadworthy," he stated.
The majority of the occupants of the bus were the elderly who were on their way to Siakago Town for Inua Jamii registration. 11 passengers died on the spot, 9 sustained injuries while 41 others escaped unharmed.
The bodies were taken to the Embu Referral Hospital Mortuary while the injured received treatment at Embu Teaching and Referral Hospital.
