Survivor Of Party On Wheels Bus That Killed 12 Answers NTSA Claims

He addressed claims by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) that the bus was believed not to have been in possession of a valid inspection certificate

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Oct 11, 2022 - 13:43
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Survivor Of Party On Wheels Bus That Killed 12 Answers NTSA Claims
Photo collage of the bus that got involved in an accident along the Meru-Nanyuki highway on Saturday, October 8, 2022. /FILE

A survivor of the Party on Wheels bus involved in a grisly road accident that killed 12 people in the Subuiga area along the Meru-Nanyuki Road on Saturday, October 8 has given his side of the story.

He addressed claims by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) that the bus was believed not to have been in possession of a valid inspection certificate so that it could be fit to use the road, as the certificate recovered at the time of the accident had expired on July 15, 2021.

He noted that the bus was not stopped by the police throughout the journey from Nairobi as they met the officers at different checkpoints but allowed the vehicle to proceed.

Wreckage of the bus that was involved in an accident on Saturday, October 8, 2022. /CITIZEN DIGITAL

The survivor noted that they were on their way to Samburu for camping and that the bus had 22 revellers.

"At no time did the police stop us from proceeding with our journey. Nor did they raise an issue regarding the bus. They cleared us to proceed," he told Citizen Digital.

The survivor, an event organiser, denied claims that the driver of the bus was intoxicated at the time of the accident and that he was only mandated to drive the partygoers to Samburu and back.

He added that the driver's section is separated from the party area in the vehicle and during the time of the crash, he was with a co-driver. The driver had perished in the grisly Saturday evening accident but the co-driver survived.

"The co-driver said he only heard the driver exclaim and say 'brakes' before he lost control of the vehicle and rammed into two others."

"I am so lucky to be alive and I believe God loves me still because I was seated in the most wrecked part of the bus, but I don't know how I came out alive," he narrated, adding that he sustained injuries in his ribs and hands.

Officers investigating the accident also noted that the bus had lacked a road service licence which showed its registration number, route served, contact of the Sacco, Sacco name and expiry date of the license despite serving as a Public Service Vehicle (PSV).

Laura Khatiebi, Deputy Sub-county Commander, Buuri West revealed on Monday, October 10 that the bus driver had lost control and hit several other vehicles towards different directions.

The bus, according to photos shared online in the aftermath of the incident, was customised to a party-like look and feel to transport passengers.

It reportedly came with a minibar which travellers could access from, stocked with a number of drinks for revellers to enjoy while travelling.

The bus also had a DJ booth, screens, speakers and LED light as well as a sink, among other features customised to attract customers who book the bus for road trips and adventures.

Inside the ill-fated Party on Wheels bus that killed 12 people in the Meru accident on Saturday, October 8, 2022. /FILE

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