02 April 2024

• Police say other students sustained soft injuries and were in stable condition in hospital

In an unfortunate incident along the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway, one student lost their life while 33 others sustained injuries when a bus carrying students from Chavakali Boys High School was involved in an accident.

The injured students were promptly taken to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu for medical attention following the accident on Monday night, as confirmed by the police.

The bus was en route to Nairobi after the closure of schools for the first term. Eyewitnesses reported that the driver lost control of the bus at the Mamboleo roundabout in Kisumu.

Allan Mwangi, the Nyanza Regional Traffic Commander, stated that the driver is being sought for questioning as part of the investigation into the incident. According to Mwangi, it appears that the driver lost control while navigating the roundabout, causing the bus to collide with the guard rail and come to rest at the edge of the road.

Tragically, a 17-year-old student lost their life on the spot, while the other students sustained minor injuries and were in stable condition at the hospital.

"The parents and guardians of some students have arrived and are attending to them. They are traumatised but they are safe," Mwangi said, adding that many other concerned parents had contacted authorities to inquire about the well-being of their children.

The students were rescued from the accident scene by ambulances and compassionate bystanders.

This incident occurs amidst ongoing efforts to address the escalating number of accidents in the country. Both the police and officials from the National Transport and Safety Authority are actively involved in campaigns to tackle road safety issues.

Since January this year, over 1,000 people have lost their lives in road accidents, with many others sustaining injuries in various incidents. This alarming statistic suggests an average of at least 30 deaths per day due to accidents, highlighting the severity of the situation.

The repercussions of these accidents extend beyond the victims to negatively impact many families, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive road safety measures. Speeding, reckless driving, drunk driving, and the use of unroadworthy vehicles are identified as major contributors to road accidents.