5 killed as pick-up, bus collide at Mukinduri in Kirinyaga

Five people died on Tuesday evening while four others were injured after a pickup truck collided with a school bus at Mukinduri on the Kerugoya-Baricho Road in Kirinyaga County.

The accident occurred at around 5pm after the pickup, with eight occupants, went out of control and collided head-on with the school bus, killing four women and one man.

Seven of the occupants in the pickup were relatives returning home from a farm in Kiamwenja where they worked as casual labourers. The bus belonging to Kamuiru Boys’ High School had eight teachers on board.

PICKUP SWERVED

A survivor, Ms Phyllis Wambui, said the driver of the pickup swerved into the opposite lane, ramming into the oncoming bus. “I was seated in the front seat. The driver of the pickup seemed to lose control and swerved to the other side. The bus driver tried to avoid a head-on collision but it was too late,” she said.

The driver of the pickup and one of the passengers died on the spot. Locals rescued the injured passengers and rushed them to Kerugoya Hospital.

One of the passengers was pronounced dead on arrival while two others succumbed to injuries as they were being prepared for surgery. The occupants of the bus escaped unhurt.

Dr Brenda Maingi, who attended to the casualties, said most of them suffered fractures. One person was treated and discharged.

MINOR INJURIES

“The deceased had extensive injuries but we were able to stabilise the others. Most of the injuries were fractures. One passenger was treated for minor injuries and discharged,” Dr Maingi said.

Police said that investigations had shown the pickup was speeding at the time of the accident and that the driver had tried to overtake another car.

Kirinyaga County Police Commander Leah Kithei confirmed the findings and urged motorists to observe traffic rules.

The dead were moved to Kerugoya Hospital Mortuary.