An unknown number of people are feared dead after an accident involving a 14-seater matatu and a bus along the Ndori-Lwanda Kotieno road in Siaya County.
The tragic accident occurred when the 14-seater matatu attempted to overtake the Nya Ugenya Bus at Wii-Omino before colliding with it.
As a result of the crash, the matatu overturned, while the bus lost control and crashed into a nearby structure.
Both vehicles, originating from Ndori, were headed to Lwanda Kotieno when the accident occurred. However, the exact number of fatalities at the scene has not yet been confirmed.
The Nya Ugenya that was involved in an accident that took place along Ndori-Lwanda Kotieno road on Monday, January 20, 2024.
The victims who sustained injuries were rushed to the nearest Madiany Sub-County Referral Hospital and Bondo Sub-County Referral Hospital for specialized treatment.
The Assistant Chief of the Naya sub-location, Victor Otunge, who arrived at the scene shortly after the crash, confirmed that the accident involved a 14-seater matatu and a bus.
He noted that both vehicles were travelling at high speeds and mentioned that investigations are ongoing to determine if other factors contributed to the cause of the accident.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the speeding matatu lost control while attempting to overtake the minibus.
First aid responders secured the area and evacuated the injured victims. The bodies of the deceased have been transferred to the nearest morgue, awaiting post-mortem.
This accident adds to the growing number of road incidents reported this month across the country. Over the weekend, five people lost their lives in a crash in Migori.
The NTSA estimates that 3,000 people die in road accidents every year, with many of the accidents occurring on weekends and public holidays.
Between January and November of 2024, 4,282 people died on the roads, according to data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
NTSA added that the hours between 5 pm and 8 am are considered the peak time for accidents, with drink-driving and carelessness cited as some of the main causes of the carnage.
National Safety and Transport Authority(NTSA) and traffic officers doing road safety compliance checks around Sewerage area in Embu County on January 6, 2025
NTSA