Seven perish in road crashes
The scene of the accident involving a taxi and a lorry at Shalom near Salgaa on the Nakuru-Eldoret road. Seven bus companies have been allowed to resume night passenger transport after they attained the compliance levels for public service vehicles. Photo | Suleiman Mbatiah
What you need to know:
- Elsewhere, three people were killed and six others injured when a car they were travelling in had a tyre burst.
- The driver of the taxi was seriously injured and was taken to Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital.
Seven people died Tuesday in two separate accidents in Nakuru and Makueni counties.
Four family members were killed when a taxi they were travelling in collided head-on with a lorry at Shalom near Salgaa on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway.
The taxi’s passengers were from Eldoret headed to Murang’a for a funeral, according to Rongai traffic police boss Alex Mumo.
The vehicle was speeding and overtaking several vehicles at 6am, Mr Mumo said.
The driver of the taxi was seriously injured and was taken to Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital.
“We always tell drivers that speed kills and that they should only overtake when the road is clear, but some motorists don’t heed this advice,” said Mr Mumo.
“In the current case, it was still dark yet the driver was overtaking. It appears the people were in a hurry to attend a burial in Murang’a,” he added.
The stretch between Salgaa and Ngata Corner is notorious for accidents. The roads authority has been urged to erect bumps to force motorists to slow down.
“In some cases, drivers sleep while on the wheel, and a bump may arouse them before an accident occurs,” said Mr Peter Muruga, a motorist who looked shaken by the collision.
Elsewhere, three people were killed and six others injured when a car they were travelling in had a tyre burst.
In critical condition
The incident happened in Mbuvo Town on the Wote-Makindu road at about 6pm.
Two of the travellers died on the spot and another on his way to the Makueni Level Four Hospital.
Of the six injured, two are in critical condition.
Kathonzweni police boss Jonathan Kisaka said the vehicle was travelling from Mtito Andei to Wote.
“One of the front tyres burst and the driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle then hit an electricity pole,” said Mr Kisaka.
