Eight people died while several others sustained serious injuries after an accident which occurred along the Kitui-Nairobi Road on the evening of Monday, February 26.
The accident involved a bus full of passengers which lost control, veered off the road and rolled into a ditch near Katangi Market.
Injured passengers and crew were rushed to hospital for specialised medical attention.
Photos circulating online showed the vehicle in a damaged state with some of its seats scattered on the road. Some other parts from the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) were also sprawled on the road as locals trooped to the section to witness what had happened.
Minutes after the accident was reported, emergency service providers rushed to the scene to rescue the victims and assess the situation.
Photos circulating online showed the bus firmly stationed in a ditch as law enforcement officers waited for a tow truck to help lift the vehicle and rescue those trapped underneath.
A section of Kenyans noted that the PSV belonged to a transport company notorious for speeding and overloading which they claimed may have caused the accident.
Commenting on the matter, Kenyans further called upon Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to put in place stricter measures to prevent such accidents. The CS was asked to liaise with other relevant stakeholders to protect the lives of Kenyans on roads.
Murkomen was accused of failing to implement some of the measures he announced in 2023 after over 50 people died in Londiani, Kericho County.
The accident was reported a few hours after another vehicle lost control and rolled down along Nandi Hills-Kapsabet Road.
The Nandi Hills accident involved a 14-seater matter which was headed to Eldoret from Kericho. No fatalities were reported from that incident.
In the past month, more than 10 people have lost their lives to road accidents.
Road safety associations have pointed fingers at drivers failing to take their vehicles for regular inspection.
Data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) revealed that from January 1 to February 11, 2024, about 563 died, with a huge number being pedestrians.
