10 people killed, 20 injured in Kakamega road accident

The scene of accident at Iguhu River Yala Bridge along Kisumu-Kakamega Road. [Courtesy]

At least 10 people have been confirmed dead while 20 others were seriously injured in a grisly road accident at the Iguhu River Yala Bridge along Kisumu-Kakamega Road.

The Wednesday 6 pm accident occurred after a petrol tanker heading to Kakamega from Kisumu lost control and rammed into two oncoming Matatus heading in the opposite direction.

Ikolomani OCPD James Makau said seven people died on the spot while three other people died while receiving treatment at Iguhu Sub-County Hospital.

 “The tanker was speeding from Kisumu heading to Kakamega when it hit a bump before it lost control and hit two oncoming matatu vehicles, seven people died on the spot and other three died while in various hospitals,” said Makau.

Makau said police have launched a manhunt for the driver of the tanker and his co-driver who are suspected to have escaped after the fatal accident.

 “We are currently going on with rescue and we have taken several people in various hospitals including Kakamega General Hospital, Mbale General Hospital, and Iguhu Sub-County Hospital but at the time of the accident, the driver of the tanker and his co-driver were not at the scene and we suspect they escaped but police have launched manhunt so that they can help us in our investigations to know what happened,” said Makau.

 According to authorities, the tanker driver lost control after hitting a bump before the vehicle veered off the road and hit the Matatu from Mitrans Sacco whose driver is not yet known as well as the number of the passengers who were on board.

The second Toyota matatu vehicle of Transline Sacco was carrying 14 passengers and both matatu were heading to Kisumu directions.

The regional traffic department said the bodies of the dead passengers have been removed and taken to Kakamega County General Hospital awaiting identification while the wreckage of the three vehicles is yet to be taken to Kakamega Police Station.

According to Wilson Munase an eyewitness the oil tanker which was speeding hit a bump and lost control before hitting the two matatus.

“The driver of the oil tanker was speeding and it seems he did not see or know the presence of a bump which he hit and lost control before hitting the two Nissans which were travelling at a close range," said Munase.

He added, "As locals, we are urging the government to put more well-marked bumps on this road to reduce the number of accidents and if possible, this highway should have high mast lights because it is always dark due to the river and bushy area."