Two Kisii National Polytechnic students died on Friday after they were knocked down by a pickup ferrying building materials at the Daraja Moja area along the Kisii-Keroka highway.
The Toyota Hilux pickup was headed to the Jogoo area when its brakes failed and ran over the two girls who were bargaining for fare with a boda boda rider by the roadside.
According to an eyewitness, the truck swerved while evading other vehicles on the road reported made impassable by potholes.
"We call upon the government to try and rectify this road since there are a lot of students using it to access their schools," the witness urged.
One of the students succumbed on the spot while another died while being rushed to a nearby hospital. The rider survived but was left to fight for his life at the Kisii Referral Hospital.
Kisii County Police Commander Charles Kases confirmed the incident, stating that the pickup was negotiating the intersection of the Kisii-Keroka and Kisii-Nyamira roads when it rammed into the three.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati while mourning the college students expressed sympathy for their families.
Arati, a first-term governor, stated that the highway especially along the Daraja Moja stretch is a notorious black spot whose upgrade is long overdue.
"I am deeply saddened to convey my heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims of the terrible accident," Arati stated via his social media pages.
According to Arati, the two young ladies were on their way home after attending lessons at the Kisii Ajiri Center at the Gusii Stadium.
Data released by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows that 508 victims were recorded in January 2024, with 234 serious injuries followed by minor injuries (190) and fatalities (84).
Out of the 84 deaths, pedestrians led with 31 as compared to 28 last year, motorcyclists followed with 23 fatalities, one death less than 24 in 2023.
