Five die in accidents on same road, minutes apart

Five people died yesterday in two separate road accidents along the Kakamega-Kisumu highway. Among the dead were three children.

The first accident involved a bus, which was heading to Kakamega from Nairobi. The driver is said to have lost control of the bus at Ilesi market centre and rammed into a boda boda rider. The rider and his passenger died on the spot.

The two were crushed beyond recognition.

Minutes later, a few metres from the spot of the first accident, the driver of a saloon car ran over three children who died on the spot.

The driver of the saloon vehicle and with his two children suffered minor injuries and were rushed to Khayega Dispensary.

Western Region Traffic Commander Geoffrey Njogu said the bus hit the motorcycle rider who was carrying a female passenger.

Mr Njogu cautioned drivers using the road against speeding, saying construction works on the road were ongoing and users needed to be more careful.

"Two people died on the spot. I urge pedestrians to observe the traffic rules while crossing the road. I also caution drivers to observe the speed limits. The road is still under construction and the tarmacked parts are very smooth, which could tempt motorists to speed," he said.

"Such accidents can be reduced if everyone was responsible and cautious, especially in the early morning hours when visibility is very poor due to mist," he said.

The bodies of the five were moved to the Kakamega County Referral Hospital mortuary.