At least two people were confirmed dead after a lorry rammed into stationary vehicles outside Kisii Polytechnic on Tuesday, April 25.
The lorry, which was ferrying household goods along the Kisii-Keroka route, lost control and veered off the road at the Darajamoja blackspot.
Among the vehicles hit on impact were a pick-up truck registered under the polytechnic and several bodaboda riders.
Several people were rushed to nearby health facilities after incurring injuries from the incident.
The accident resulted in the damage of several buildings adjacent to the road and an electricity pole, which left power lines hanging dangerously low.
Police officers arrived at the accident scene and led the rescue operation. The officers further helped clear the traffic pile-up in the area.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the truck developed brake failure. However, a comprehensive report will be tabled by the officers to establish the cause of the accident.
Additionally, two tow trucks were deployed to flip the overturned lorry and pick-up truck. A team from Kenya Power also arrived to assess the damage done to the electric poll.
This is the second time in the month of April that an accident has occurred at the black spot. In April 2023, a lorry ferrying a road grander lost control and rammed into several private cars at the same spot.
According to a report by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), 1,072 Kenyans lost their lives in road carnage between January and March 2023.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen attributed the accidents to the influx of unroadworthy vehicles on Kenyan roads and underqualified drivers.
Consequently, Murkomen ordered a nationwide crackdown to ensure compliance with the Traffic Act. He further announced that police and cameras would be deployed on several blackspots across the country.
