Four killed, 36 hurt as bus collides with truck in Manyani

A section of vehicles trapped in heavy traffic congestion on Nairobi Mombasa highway [Erastus Mulwa, Standard]

Four people died while 36 others were injured in a road accident along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway yesterday.

Police said the accident at Manyani involved a bus and truck. Manyanyi area is regarded a black spot.

Witness said the two vehicles collided. The dead were the two drivers and two passengers.

“The accident occurred in Manyani in the morning and it involved a bus and a truck. For now, we are trying to assist the victims,” Voi Sub-County police boss Benastine Shari told The Standard at the scene.

Moi County Referral Hospital Medical Superintendent Felix Kimotho said they received four bodies and treated 36 patients. He said three of the accident victims are in critical condition.

“At least 33 passengers are out of danger. We are still monitoring their condition. They may be released tomorrow,” Dr Kimotho said.

The medical superintendent said bodies of the driver had already been positively identified.

The accident comes two days after the Anglican Church of Kenya Taita-Taveta Diocese, police and Boda boda operators conducted prayers at Ndii along the Nairobi-Mombasa and in Mwatate junction along the Voi-Taveta highways.

ACK Diocese Bishop Liverson Mng’onda led the interdenominational prayers along the two busy highways.

Police and religious leaders have cautioned motorists against speeding during the festive season.

The bishop said the prayers were meant to bring sanity on the roads, which he said had registered numerous accidents and loss of lives.

“We need you to be alive so that you can continue feeding your families and paying taxes to the government,” said a senior police officer at the prayer service.