At least six people lost their lives on Thursday morning following a tragic road accident that occurred in the Manyatta area of Taita Taveta County after a bus collided head-on with a trailer along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
According to Coast regional traffic boss Asha Wario, the crash occurred when the bus driver attempted to overtake another vehicle before colliding with the oncoming trailer.
“The bus driver was attempting to overtake when the trailer struck the vehicle, causing severe damage to its right side before it veered off the road,” Wario said.
Several passengers were injured in the crash and rushed to Moi Referral Hospital for treatment. Police on the other side, launched investigations aimed to establish the cause of the accident.
Officials continue to urge motorists to observe traffic regulations and exercise caution on major highways to prevent further loss of life.
The accident is the latest in a series of fatal road crashes reported across the country in recent weeks. According to traffic officials, more than 300 people have died in road accidents across the country over the past month, with many others sustaining serious injuries.
Authorities attribute most of the crashes to reckless overtaking, speeding, and drunk driving, despite the ongoing public awareness campaigns put in place by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
The incident comes just days after another fatal accident which occurred in Baringo County, where a lorry transporting building blocks lost control and rammed into traders at Kabarnet Market, leaving three people dead.
Jacob Chepkwony, the County Secretary described the incident as unfortunate, adding that poor weather conditions may have contributed to the tragedy.
“It has become the norm for some traders to move out of their designated areas, particularly in the evenings when supervision from the county administration is minimal. We shall be firm going forward and we want all stakeholders to assist us in enforcing these safety measures,” Chepkwony said.
Meanwhile, in order to maintain order and safety, Joshua Kandie urged traders to comply with the set county directives.
