At least nine people are feared dead after a 14-seater matatu they were traveling in collided with an oil tanker along the Homa Bay-Kisumu highway.
Speaking to the media on Monday, September 26, police officers at the scene confirmed that the accident occurred in the Ngegu area, killing the nine on the spot.
Among those who died was a Class Seven pupil from Janiero Junior Academy who was reporting back to school. Bodies of the deceased were ferried to the Homa-Bay County County Morgue.
An ambulance from Homa Bay County arrived at the scene and where medical personnel conducted a rescue mission to pull out survivors from the wreckage.
Two passengers who sustained injuries were rushed to the Homa-Bay County Referral hospital where they are receiving treatment.
According to the trailer driver, the matatu which was overtaking rammed into him in fear of colliding head-on with an oncoming vehicle before it veered off the road.
Police have launched an investigation to establish the cause of the accident and give a conclusive report. However, witness accounts indicate that the driver had been speeding.
Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga sent a message of condolence to the bereaved families and wished the survivors a quick recovery.
"I am deeply shocked and saddened at the loss of nine precious lives and the injuries to more in the unfortunate incident. I send my deepest and heartfelt condolences to those who have lost friends and loved ones.
"During this time of grief, I pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured," Wanga stated.
Elsewhere, three people were killed, while five others were injured in Kiritiri, Embu County, after the driver of the car they were in lost control.
The incident comes barely a day after five passengers lost their lives after a 16-seater PSV collided with a truck at the infamous Kanga black spot along the Mtito-Andei -Voi highway.
A report by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) listed speeding, lane indiscipline, driving under the influence, and distracted driving among the leading causes of road carnage.
According to outgoing Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna 4,579 Kenyans lost their lives in road accidents in 2021.
