12 killed and scores hurt in separate road crashes
The wreckage of the matatu in which eight people died in a road accident on the Meru-Nairobi highway. Six people died on the spot and two more perished while undergoing treatment at the Chogoria Mission hospital. 13 survivors who are in critical condition are being treated at the same hospital. PHOTO/KENNEDY KIMANTHI
What you need to know:
- Eight people, among them two children, died after a matatu they were travelling in rolled several times at Wiru near Chogoria Town on Chuka-Meru road after a tyre burst.
- In Bomet, three women passengers and a child were killed on the spot when the vehicle they were travelling in was involved in an accident on the Bomet-Kaplong highway.
- “The matatu had 22 passengers on board whereas it is supposed to carry only 14. We suspect that the tyre burst was as a result of overloading,” he said.
Twelve people were yesterday killed in two separate accidents in Meru and Bomet counties.
Eight people, among them two children, died after a matatu they were travelling in rolled several times at Wiru near Chogoria Town on Chuka-Meru road after a tyre burst.
Six of the passengers died on the spot while two succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at Chogoria Mission Hospital.
Fourteen other passengers were critically injured during the 1.30pm accident.
In Bomet, three women passengers and a child were killed on the spot when the vehicle they were travelling in was involved in an accident on the Bomet-Kaplong highway.
A five-year-old girl, who was aboard the ill-fated matatu, was critically injured and admitted to Tenwek Mission Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The driver of the matatu was also injured and was admitted to Kaplong Mission Hospital.
The 3pm accident, which occurred at Chebole area, involved the matatu that was headed to Kisii from Nairobi and a truck travelling to Bomet from Kaplong.
Bomet traffic police base commander Daniel Kameta said the driver of the matatu was allegedly trying to overtake another vehicle when it collided with the oncoming truck.
OVERLOADING
It could not be established immediately whether those who died were members of the same family.
In the Meru incident, Maara police boss John Njihia said the 14-seater matatu was carrying 22 passengers, among them children.
He added that the tyre burst might have been caused by overloading.
“The matatu had 22 passengers on board whereas it is supposed to carry only 14. We suspect that the tyre burst was as a result of overloading,” he said.
The driver of the matatu, which was heading to Nairobi from Nkubu, was among those who died.
Mr Njihia warned matatu drivers against overloading.
The matatu which was reportedly speeding had passed through two road blocks.
Meru Red Cross officer Gitonga Mugambi said among those injured, 10 were unconscious.
The hospital management said two of those injured might be transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi for specialised treatment.
All the injured persons were taken to Chogoria Mission Hospital.
“We urgently need blood from the well-wishers so that we can save these people’s lives. The major challenge is that the blood banks in this hospital and others nearby have no blood,” Mr Mugambi said.
Most of the victims were returning to Nairobi after the Christmas festivities.
On December 17 last year, another accident took place on the Chuka-Meru road at Maara River, which is a few kilometers from Wiru.
