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6 killed in road accident in Kenya

Xinhua, November 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

At least six people were killed and 12 others seriously injuried on Friday night when the vehicles they were travelling in involved in a grisly road accident in Bomet County in northwest Kenya.

Bomet County police commander Leah Kithei confirmed the incident on Saturday, saying the incident occurred at Kipsoen Bridge along Bomet-Narok road, about 5 km from Longisa Trading centre.

Kithei said the accident happened after a 14-seater matatus (minibus) collided head on with oncoming bus.

"The driver of the matatu tried to avoid hitting a lorry which broke down in the middle of the road and lost control before colliding with Nyamira Bus which was speeding downhill," Kithei told Xinhua by telephone.

She said four people died on the spot while two others died while undergoing treatment at a local hospital. Those injured are undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Sources within the hospitals said the patients were in stable conditions and have injuries in limbs and heads.

The sources added that it took time for police officers and members of the public to remove the trapped passengers because the matatu was badly mangled. The occupants of the bus were unhurt.

The police boss who described the incident as unfortunate, urged the road users to observe the traffic rules especially this time when many people are preparing for Christmas festivities, as many lives have been lost through road carnage.

"As a country, we need to develop a national road culture where those flouting traffic rules are condemned by all of us," Kithei said.

Road accidents continue to occur despite stringiest traffic rules which were introduced by the government to help curb road carnage.

Traffic police statistics show there were 2,907 people who died in 2014 as compared to the 3,218 who died in 2013.

Last year, 5,140 people were seriously injured in accidents as compared to 6,289 for 2013, representing a drop by 18 percent while 3,971 were slightly injured last year as compared to 4,837 in 2013, representing an eight percent drop. Endit