Tragedy as five die in grisly New Year accident
The vehicle that was involved in the 5 am accident. Its five occupants died on the spot. PHOTO | ERIC MATARA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Eyewitnesses at the scene along the Eldama Ravine-Eldoret road said the victims died on the spot.
Five people -- two women and three men -- died in an accident along the Eldama Ravine-Eldoret road in Baringo County in the wee hours of the New Year.
They were in a saloon car that was headed to Eldama Ravine town from Poror.
Witnesses at the scene said the five died on the spot in the accident which occurred at around 5 am Wednesday morning.
"We heard a loud bang ... On rushing to the scene, we found the vehicle in the ditch and the five were already dead," said Joseph Biwott, an area resident.
Koibatek Sub-County Commander Rashid Mohamed said the driver lost control of the vehicle at Kabonyony junction and the car landed in a ditch.
The badly damaged vehicle was towed to Eldama Ravine police station while the bodies were taken to Eldama Ravine hospital mortuary.
The vehicle at Eldama Ravine police station. PHOTO | ERIC MATARA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The driver of the car was later identified as 27 year-old Philip Kemboi, the son of Athletics Kenya (AK) official Barnabas Kitilit.
His family confirmed the news, saying the Moi University graduate was the family’s hope.
In an interview with the Nation, his father described him as ambitious.
“Death has robbed me of a great, industrious, ambitious, humble and hardworking son. I was really heartbroken by the news of his death on the New Year,” said Mr Kitili, who alongside other family members was still coming to terms with his death.
"I will miss him. He had big dreams of joining the media industry and becoming an accomplished journalist. Nevertheless, all is well with my soul.”
The deceased graduated December 2018 with a Bachelor of Science (Media Science) degree and had done his internship at The Star newspaper.
He was the second born child in a family of six.
