NAIROBI, Kenya: A devastating accident on a rain-soaked highway in Kenya has claimed the lives of 11 students from Kenyatta University, with 42 others seriously injured.
The tragic incident occurred at Maungu, 360 kilometers from Nairobi, as the university students were en route to Mombasa. According to police reports, the bus carrying 58 passengers collided with a truck while attempting to overtake a line of vehicles in heavy rain. The bus skidded, prompting the truck driver to veer left to avoid a head-on collision, resulting in a collision on the left side of the bus.
Ten individuals lost their lives instantly, with another succumbing to injuries in the hospital. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital in Voi for treatment. The accident underscores the dangers of poor road conditions and reckless driving practices in Kenya, where road accidents are unfortunately common.
According to the National Transport and Safety Authority, there were 4,324 road fatalities and 18,561 injuries in 2023, marking a slight decrease from the previous year. However, the beginning of 2024 has seen a concerning rise in road-related deaths, with 536 fatalities recorded between January 1 and February 11, a five percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Among the victims was Kelvin Kiptum, the 24-year-old world marathon record holder, whose tragic death highlights the urgent need for improved road safety measures in Kenya.
