Rescue efforts in progress after a serious accident on Monday, February 26, 2024, in Machakos. The wreckage of the vehicle involved in the tragic incident is captured here. PHOTO | Courtesy
In Summary:
- Eight individuals tragically lost their lives and several others suffered severe injuries following a devastating accident on the Kitui-Nairobi Road on Monday, February 26.
- The incident involved a bus carrying passengers, which lost control, veered off the road, and overturned near Katangi Market, prompting urgent rescue efforts and raising concerns about road safety.
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a fatal accident unfolded along the Kitui-Nairobi Road on the evening of Monday, February 26, claiming the lives of eight individuals and leaving numerous others with serious injuries.
The tragedy occurred when a fully occupied bus lost control, careened off the road, and rolled into a ditch in the vicinity of Katangi Market. In the aftermath, injured passengers and crew members were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals to receive specialized medical care.
Images circulating online depicted the harrowing aftermath of the accident, with the vehicle mangled and some of its seats strewn across the roadway.
Additionally, remnants of the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) littered the scene as local residents gathered to comprehend the severity of the situation.
Upon receiving reports of the accident, emergency service providers rushed to the scene, working tirelessly to extricate victims trapped in the wreckage and assess the extent of the damage.
Keep Reading: Ruto and Raila Hold Talks with Museveni in Uganda
Law enforcement officers stood by, awaiting the arrival of a tow truck to assist in lifting the bus and freeing those trapped beneath.
Concerns arose regarding the safety practices of the transport company associated with the ill-fated bus, with some members of the community alleging a history of speeding and overloading.
A vehicle at the scene of an accident in Machakos County on Monday, February 26, 2024. [IMAGE | Courtesy]
Calls emerged for Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to implement stricter regulations aimed at preventing such tragic incidents.
Murkomen faced criticism for purportedly failing to enforce measures announced in 2023 following a deadly accident in Londiani, Kericho County, which claimed over 50 lives.
The tragedy on the Kitui-Nairobi Road came shortly after another vehicular mishap on the Nandi Hills-Kapsabet Road, where a 14-seater vehicle bound for Eldoret from Kericho lost control and overturned, though no fatalities were reported in that instance.
Data released by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) underscored the severity of road safety challenges, revealing that from January 1 to February 11, 2024, a distressing total of 563 lives were lost, with a significant number comprising pedestrians.
These statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to enhance road safety and prevent further loss of life on Kenyan roads.