14 Killed, 12 Injured After Lorry Full Of Passengers Overturns

A fatal road accident that occurred on Saturday night, February 4 along the Kakuma-Lodwar highway resulted in the death of 14 people.

According to the National Police Service (NPS), the accident occurred at about 2200hrs at the Kakwamunyen area along the highway involving an Isuzu lorry driven by a 33-year-old man, and on board were 26 passengers and assorted goods.

The heavy impact of the accident resulted in the death of 14 passengers on the spot while the remaining 12 passengers sustained various injuries and were rushed to Lodwar County and Referral Hospital by the County ambulance for treatment. 

A photo of the wreckage of the lorry that overturned along the Lodwar-Kakuma highway on Saturday, February 4, 2023. /NPS

NPS stated that preliminary investigations suggested that the motor vehicle was being driven towards Kakuma's general direction.

"Upon reaching the location of the accident, there was a camel that was crossing the road from left to right and the driver swerved to the right to avoid hitting it.

"Unfortunately, due to the heavy weight of the vehicle from the goods and the passengers onboard, the driver lost control of the vehicle," NPS reported in part.

As a result, the vehicle overturned and landed in a culvert on the right side of the road, a matter that led to injuries to the passengers and the vehicle being extensively damaged.

The bodies have been moved to the same facility mortuary for preservation, awaiting autopsy.

The scene was visited and necessary police action was taken as arrangements are being made to tow the vehicle to Lodwar Police Station pending inspection, and comprehensive investigations into the cause of the accident.

NPS further appealed to all motorists to exercise extreme caution on Kenyan roads and adhere to traffic rules.

Section 56 (2) of the Traffic Act bars drivers from carrying passengers in a manner that endangers their lives.

Furthermore, passengers caught riding dangerously are liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh10,000 or an alternative jail term not exceeding one month.

"No vehicle shall be used on a road if it is loaded in such a manner as to make it a danger to other persons using the road or to persons travelling on the vehicle.

"Any person who drives or uses on a road a vehicle in contravention of the provisions of  56 or in accordance with the East African Community Vehicle Load Control Act, 2013, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh400,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both," Section 58 (1) reads.

An accident alert roadsign. /FILE