17 killed in bus accident

Seventeen people were killed and over 80 others injured when a bus they were travelling in crashed on the Kakuma-Lodwar highway.

Four passengers died on the spot while the injured were taken to Lodwar District Hospital after the Kitale-bound bus rolled several times near Nasger in Loima, some 40 km from Lodwar town.

“The vehicle veered off the road and rolled several times after hitting a pot hole,” said the Turkana Central police boss, Mr Njoroge wa Mwaura.

He said two passengers were pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Hospital sources said 11 other passengers died while undergoing treatment following the 5 pm accident.

In critical condition

Three critically injured passengers have been referred to Eldoret’s Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for specialised treatment.

A rescue team, led by Mr Mwaura, Kenya Red Cross and World Vision personnel helped save victims who had been trapped in the mangled vehicle.

It took them almost four hours to rescue casualties trapped in the bus.

Turkana Central Medical Officer of Health Epem Esekon said doctors on leave were recalled to attend to the victims.

Makeshift tents were erected to offer services to some of the injured, as the bed capacity at the hospital could not accommodate the huge number of accident victims.

A medical team from Lodwar Medical Training College was also mobilised to attend to the huge number of casualties.

According to one of the passengers, Mr Joseph Kimani, the front tyres of the bus came off after hitting a pothole.

“The bus rolled several times before landing on its body after hitting the ground,” Mr Kimani told the Nation at the hospital.

The driver of the vehicle said the front wheel axle and bolts of the tyres flew off after hitting a pothole.

“I do not know what exactly took place but the bus landed on its roof after the front wheels got off,” said the injured driver, who gave his name as Daniel.

“We urge drivers and conductors to always ensure that vehicles are in good condition to contain road carnage,” appealed Mr Mwaura.

But the residents blamed the pathetic state of the Kakuma-Lodwar highway for the accident and appealed to the government to carry out repairs.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has, during a recent tour of West Pokot County, pledged to have the Kitale-Lodwar road repaired to improve transport operations in Lodwar and Lokichoggio which is the gateway to South Sudan.

The accident adds to road carnage even after President Kibaki ordered a crackdown on errant drivers to contain the menace.