23 killed, 16 hospitalised in Nairobi-Mombasa Highway head-on collision

Africa, Crime Diary

NAIROBI, Kenya (Agency Report) — Twenty-three people have died, and 16 others are receiving treatment in hospital after the vehicle they were travelling in lost control and collided head-on with a lorry on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway on Sunday morning.

The accident occurred at about 7:45 a.m. in the Kanga area of Kambu Sub County, where 19 people died at the scene and four others died while undergoing treatment at Mtito Andei Sub County Hospital on Sunday.

According to Makueni County Traffic Enforcement Officer John Kirima, of the 23 people who died, 12 were female, 10 were male and one was a juvenile. The bus driver survived the accident, while the truck driver succumbed to his injuries.

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The accident occurred when the driver of the bus, registration number KCN 373N, an Isuzu belonging to the Power of the Word Church International, overtook a convoy of vehicles and collided head-on with a tipper trailer truck, registration number KDP 473W/ZG504F, that was travelling from Mombasa.

“This morning, at about 7:45 a.m., a serious road accident occurred in the Kanga area near Mtito Andei involving a bus belonging to a religious institution and a tipper truck. The impact of the accident ripped off about half of the roof of the bus and severely damaged both vehicles,” said Makueni County Commissioner Abdullahi Khalif, who confirmed the accident to the Kenya News Agency on Sunday.

“Unfortunately, a total of 23 passengers from both vehicles have been confirmed dead, and six others sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment in hospital,” Khalif added.

The administrator said police have launched investigations to establish the cause of the accident, noting that 45 passengers were on the bus.

Speaking to the media, the Chief Officer of the Department of Health, Dr Harvey Mulei, said 16 patients were received at Mtito Andei Sub County Hospital, noting that two have since been referred to Makindu Sub County Hospital.

“The facility currently has 16 patients who are being treated, while two have been referred to Makindu Sub County Hospital. We also received 23 bodies. Nineteen died at the scene and four succumbed while undergoing treatment at Mtito Andei Sub County Hospital,” Dr Mulei said.

A month ago, Catholic faithful died along the same highway as they were travelling to Nakuru County for prayers.

-KNA