Captured amidst the aftermath: the shattered remains of a lorry following a devastating incident along Katito-Kendu Bay Highway in Kisumu, February 21, 2024. IMAGE | courtesy
In Summary:
- Seven individuals tragically lost their lives in a devastating road accident along a busy highway in Nyakach, Kisumu County.
- The collision occurred when a lorry lost control and collided head-on with an oncoming matatu, causing immediate fatalities and critical injuries among passengers.
A harrowing incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon as a fatal collision occurred along a busy highway in Nyakach, Kisumu County, claiming the lives of seven individuals.
The catastrophe ensued when a lorry reportedly veered out of control and crashed headlong into an oncoming matatu, resulting in immediate fatalities at the scene.
Kisumu Regional Traffic Commandant Allan Mwangi confirmed the tragedy, highlighting the swift response of emergency service providers dispatched to the site.
“Response teams are currently at the scene,” affirmed the Kenya Red Cross in a social media update.
Reports indicate that the matatu, ferrying numerous passengers en route to Homa Bay, bore the brunt of the collision as the lorry transporting sand deviated from its lane, leading to the fatal impact.
Injured victims were promptly rushed to nearby hospitals in critical condition, while traffic along the route faced disruption for several minutes until the wreckage of the vehicles was cleared.
Meanwhile, authorities from Pap Onditi Police Station have initiated investigations to ascertain the root cause of the calamity. The police have issued a plea to motorists, urging heightened caution to prevent such tragic incidents on the roads.
This grim incident echoes a similar tragedy that occurred two months prior along the same highway, where four individuals lost their lives after a private car collided with pedestrians and a boda rider before careening into a nearby thicket.
Rachuonyo North sub-county Police Commander Lydia Parteiyie affirmed the ongoing investigation into the previous accident, aiming to unravel the circumstances leading to the fatalities.
According to statistics from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), road accidents nationwide have claimed 536 lives thus far in the year, marking a concerning increase compared to the same period in 2023, which recorded 537 fatalities.
Pedestrians represent a significant portion of the casualties, with 216 fatalities reported, followed by passengers with 109 deaths, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures.