Kenyatta University has suspended classes for 3 days following a grisly road accident that claimed the lives of 11 of the institution's students.
The accident occurred at Maungu in Voi, Taita Taveta County on Monday, March 18.
The University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Waceke Wanjohi made the announcement to allow students to mourn their colleagues who lost their lives in the tragedy.
"Following this unprecedented tragedy, the University management has decided to suspend all classes for three days from Wednesday, March 20, 2024, to allow us to mourn our beloved students," she indicated.
The institution's Vice-Chancellor Paul Wainaina also paid a visit to the victims at Moi County Referral Hospital to monitor their recuperation.
He noted that 9 more students and staff in critical condition had to be airlifted to Nairobi to receive specialised treatment.
The first batch of seven students had already been airlifted to Nairobi and were receiving medical treatment.
While condoling with the students, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor indicated that the institution had set up a help desk to offer support to those affected by the tragedy.
Further, Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime directed that the victims would be treated free of charge as the county government would cater for their hospital bills.
He also lauded the doctors for attending to the victims despite the ongoing strike entering its sixth day
"We are in talks with partners to upgrade this hospital. As you know, we often receive such accidents. The project is a priority," Mwadime noted.
The accident involved a KU bus and a trailer along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway which resulted in the deaths of 11 students while over 20 people sustained serious injuries.
Following the tragedy, Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen ordered National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) officers back on the road to enforce regulations alongside traffic officers.
In a series of reforms, Murkomen also announced a nationwide crackdown to enhance compliance with road safety rules amongst road users.
