10 Killed After Fuel Tanker Rams Into 2 Matatus Along Kisumu-Kakamega Road

At least 10 people were on Wednesday, November 13 killed and several others injured following a grisly accident at the Iguhu River Yala bridge along the Kisumu-Kakamega road.

According to reports, a fuel tanker rammed into two 14-seater matatus. The tanker was travelling towards Kakamega when lost control and hit the matatus which were heading towards Chavakali at around 6 pm.

20 people who were injured were rushed to Mbale District Hospital and Kakamega Referral Hospital for specialised treatment, with reports indicating that the majority are in critical condition.

Police are currently in pursuit of the truck driver who is said to have escaped after the accident happened.

Two matatus and a trailer involved in a road crash along Kakamega-Kisumu Road. /SAMMY ONDIMU NGARE

The crash comes barely three days after a severe accident involving a public service vehicle (PSV) bus and a trailer occurred along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway on the morning of Sunday, November 10.

A bus and a trailer collided head-on in the early morning accident that took place near Salama Town in Makueni County.

Back in August, an early morning accident occurred around 4 am on Tuesday, August 20 in the Migaa area near Salgaa along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway and claimed the lives of 13 people. The accident which also left 55 people sustaining critical injuries had left many in shock and mourning.

Accident statistics by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) are damning, to say the least. NTSA as of August 28, 2024, recorded 3,056 deaths from 7,114 accidents in 2024 so far, an increase from 2,910 deaths from 6,411 accidents in this period in 2023, raising concerns in terms of what is done to curb the rise in road accidents.

15,651 victims have been involved in road accidents this year compared to 14,745 last year. This accident comes as Kenyans are warming up for the festive season that will see them travel to various parts of the country.

According to reports, bus and matatu companies are pulling out 'sleeping' buses to meet the high travel demand. A section of Kenyans have however expressed their worry that some of these vehicles were grounded due to serious mechanical issues/violations posing a danger to Kenyans gearing up to travel for the festive season.

Kenyans have been advised to stay safe and exercise care on the roads even as the rains continue to fall in the different parts of the country.