At least eleven people were killed on Saturday night, June 4, accident after a matatu they were in was involved in an accident at Kanyonyoo junction in Kitui County.
Police, who confirmed the incident, intimated to the media that the Kitui bound matatu had come from a dowry negotiation (Ruracio) ceremony in Mwingi.
It is reported that the driver of the 14-seater matatu lost control while trying to overtake another vehicle at the junction.
At the time of publishing this article, 11 people had died while several others were rushed to Matuu Level 4 Hospital in Machakos and Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Kitui Level 4 Hospital Mortuary.
The Saturday night accident highlights the dire situation on the roads over the past week that has seen scores lose their lives. In June 2022, at least 20 people were fighting for their lives after a lorry collided with a private car and a 14-seater matatu at Kinungi, Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
The accident comes just five days after nine vehicles had collided at the same spot. The accident involved seven private vehicles, a truck, and a 14-seater matatu. One person was killed in the accident.
Further, Rabai Member of Parliament William Kamoti died in a road accident while heading home shortly after presenting his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Stella Memusi, the wife of Kajiado Central Member of Parliament, Elijah Memusi, also passed away on Tuesday, May 31, after a tragic road accident along Athi River-Namanga road.
According to the latest report by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), 1,345 people had lost their lives in road accidents from January 1, 2022, to April 11, 2022.
This indicated a 15 per cent increase as compared to 1,168 fatalities recorded over a similar period during the previous year.
NTSA, in a sensitisation campaign, has been urging road users to adhere to traffic laws to avoid future accidents.
“Road users must strive to be responsible whether in complying with traffic rules as a driver, rider or pedestrian, enforcing the law, or educating others in engaging in safe behaviour," NTSA stated.
