Murkomen Strips License Of Modern Coast Bus Following Accident
Murkomen revealed that he received NTSA's report on the road accident involving one of its buses...
admin
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to immediately suspend the operation license of Modern Coast Bus Express company.
In a statement on Friday, November 30, Murkomen revealed that he received NTSA's report on the road accident involving one of its buses which plunged into the Nyakomisaro River in Kisii County.
He clarified that NTSA had renewed the license of the bus company after it was previously suspended for three months following a similar accident at River Nithi along the Meru-Nairobi highway on Sunday, July 24.
"The July accident led to the suspension of the license of the bus company for three months. The operations were allowed to resume in November this year after the company complied with all the conditions that had been set for them.
Scene after a Modern Coast bus plunged into Nyakomisaro River In Kisii County on December 28, 2022. /TWITTER.MA3ROUTE
"Following the 28th December accident, I have directed NTSA to suspend all operations of the Modern Coast bus company with immediate effect, as investigations into the accident continue. The bus company must also ensure that all passengers who had booked with them are facilitated to allow for safe and seamless travel to their destinations," he directed.
Among the requirements for the resumption of Modern Coast bus operations included the need to ensure vehicles are well-serviced and drivers well-rested before taking to the road.
Also included were proper display and positioning of signage like triangles, chevrons, and retro-reflective, towing of stalled vehicles within one hour, observing speed limits and passenger capacity, adherence to designated routes, and paying attention to traffic signs and traffic lights.
"Motorists must also avoid reckless overtaking, overlapping, and driving under the influence of alcohol. Now that the festive season is almost over and passengers are travelling back to their places of work, we will double down on our efforts to ensure all motorists adhere to these measures.
"As a Ministry, we take the matter of road safety seriously and will not hesitate to take stern action against anyone flouting traffic rules in our efforts to preserve and protect the lives of Kenyans," he added.
Murkomen announced that he would issue a comprehensive statement on the matter once the investigations are complete.
Modern Coast was put on the spot after a survivor's account of the crash that killed a pedestrian on Wednesday, December 28 differed with its statement that revealed the cause of the accident. Speaking to the media, Nicholas Okeyo revealed that the bus which had 43 passengers on board was travelling from Mombasa to Rongo in Migori County and was parked as passengers alighted the bus.
The peaceful proceedings were suddenly interrupted by a loud bang that sent them into panic as the bus began reversing at high speed.
"We were travelling from Mombasa to Rongo. At the time, the car was parked as passengers were alighting. Then suddenly, we heard a loud bang. I suspect that it was the handbrake that had exploded.
"So, we began going in reverse at high speed. While reaching this area, we collided with a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) that was also parked beside the road. The collision ultimately reduced our speed," he noted.
However, the bus would soon begin rolling backwards faster thus plunging into the river and starting to fill up with water. Okeyo was lucky to stumble upon a passer-by who informed him of the dire situation and help him escape from the bus as well as a majority of passengers.
"The people in the backseat were on the side of the bus which had plunged into the river. Thinking that I was in a dream, the bus began filling with water."
"My mission was to get out of the bus. Fortunately, in the scuffle, I found a passerby who had stretched his hand to help me get out, I informed him that other passengers were stuck inside. The majority of the passengers escaped safely," he added.
An image of a Modern Coast Bus. /MODERN COAST
At least 19 passengers suffered soft injuries in the Wednesday accident, including five women and two men.
"Our bus from Mombasa to Homabay in Kisii was reversing down a steep murram road to park down a slope when it hit a matatu. As a result, the driver panicked and the bus slid down and fell on its side into a ditch," it said at the time.
Modern Coast would later stand by its sentiments in another statement that the bus slid into the stream in Masosa area while reversing to park, adding that there were no casualties.
