Prison wardens, inmates injured in road accident

Rachuonyo GK Prison vehicle that was involved in an accident in Homa Bay town on June 4, 2024. Eleven people were injured when a Kenya Prisons Service land cruiser was involved in a road accident in Homa Bay town [James Omoro, Standard]

Eleven people were injured when a Kenya Prisons Service vehicle was involved in a road accident in Homa Bay town.

The victims are five prison wardens and six inmates who had boarded the vehicle.

The accident occurred after the driver lost control of the vehicle belonging to Rachuonyo GK Prison which overturned along Rongo-Homa Bay Highway on Tuesday evening.

The victims were rushed to Homa Bay County Referral Hospital for treatment by the Kenya Red Cross Society officials and police officers.

Homa Bay County Prisons Commander Robert Basigwa said one of the officers sustained serious injuries.

“The prison officers were injured but one of them is in a serious condition because the riffle he was carrying pricked his stomach,” Basigwa said.

He said the inmates sustained minor injuries.

“All the inmates are out of danger because they have sustained minor injuries,” Basigwa said.

The vehicle was ferrying the inmates from Homa Bay Teaching and Referral Hospital where they had been taken for treatment.

“The inmates were being taken back to Rachuonyo Prison after receiving medical care at the hospital. It is unfortunate that they were involved in the accident,” Basigwa said.

Witnesses said the accident occurred after the driver of the prison vehicle attempted to avoid hitting another vehicle which abruptly stopped on the road.