A bus transporting mourners from a funeral in western Kenya tragically overturned, resulting in 25 fatalities and numerous injuries. The accident, which occurred on the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway, raised alarms about the country’s ongoing struggle with deadly road incidents.
Tragic Bus Accident Claims 25 Lives in Kenya During Funeral Return
Tragic Bus Accident Claims 25 Lives in Kenya During Funeral Return
A deadly bus crash in western Kenya highlights the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures.
A bus carrying mourners from a funeral met with a horrific accident on Friday afternoon in western Kenya, leaving 25 individuals dead, according to local authorities. The police report noted that the driver lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road and overturned into a ditch along the notoriously dangerous Kisumu-Kakamega Highway.
The casualties included 10 women, 10 men, and one girl, with 20 passengers sustaining injuries, five of whom were reported to be in serious condition. It was confirmed that four additional individuals succumbed to their injuries in local hospitals following the crash. All passengers were returning from a burial event at Nyahera, heading to Nyakach, approximately 62 kilometers (about 38.5 miles) away.
While the specific cause of the accident is still under investigation, officials emphasized the critical need for increased vigilance on the roads. The bus, which is normally utilized as a secondary school vehicle, was repurposed for the funeral transport, and fortunately, no students were on board at the time of the accident.
In the aftermath, Kenya's Ministry of Health urgently appealed for a blood donation drive to support those injured, extending condolences to the affected families. This incident prompted President William Ruto to call for swift action against those accountable for negligence leading to the tragedy, underscoring the importance of upholding road safety regulations.
The National Transport and Safety Authority of Kenya has pledged to assist in the investigation to determine the underlying cause of this tragedy. This accident adds to a troubling trend, as just earlier this week, a light aircraft crash in Nairobi claimed six lives, and multiple other road accidents occurred, resulting in numerous fatalities. Between 2020 and 2021, deaths from road accidents in Kenya rose by over 20%, revealing the urgent need for remedial measures to enhance road safety and protect lives.
The casualties included 10 women, 10 men, and one girl, with 20 passengers sustaining injuries, five of whom were reported to be in serious condition. It was confirmed that four additional individuals succumbed to their injuries in local hospitals following the crash. All passengers were returning from a burial event at Nyahera, heading to Nyakach, approximately 62 kilometers (about 38.5 miles) away.
While the specific cause of the accident is still under investigation, officials emphasized the critical need for increased vigilance on the roads. The bus, which is normally utilized as a secondary school vehicle, was repurposed for the funeral transport, and fortunately, no students were on board at the time of the accident.
In the aftermath, Kenya's Ministry of Health urgently appealed for a blood donation drive to support those injured, extending condolences to the affected families. This incident prompted President William Ruto to call for swift action against those accountable for negligence leading to the tragedy, underscoring the importance of upholding road safety regulations.
The National Transport and Safety Authority of Kenya has pledged to assist in the investigation to determine the underlying cause of this tragedy. This accident adds to a troubling trend, as just earlier this week, a light aircraft crash in Nairobi claimed six lives, and multiple other road accidents occurred, resulting in numerous fatalities. Between 2020 and 2021, deaths from road accidents in Kenya rose by over 20%, revealing the urgent need for remedial measures to enhance road safety and protect lives.
