Ten people died on Saturday December 16 in a grisly road accident along Kikima – Machakos Road.
According to the National Police Service, the accident happened at around 6.30pm when the vehicle they were travelling in lost control and rolled several times.
In a statement, police said the Public Service Vehicle – PSV, belonged to the MAKOS SACCO.
At the same time, police noted that ten other passengers were rushed to hospital after sustaining varying degrees of injuries.
“Ten other passengers were seriously injured and were rushed to Mbooni Subcounty Hospital in critical condition,” read NPS statement in part.
The Makos shuttle was headed to Machakos town from Kikima.
Matatu had excess passengers at time of accident
Mbooni Deputy Stanlaus Apwoka said the ill-fated matatu had excess passengers when the crash happened.
“The matatu from Makos Sacco lost control before landing in a ditch,” a statement from Apwoka read in part.
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Similarly, Makueni Health Chief Officer Stephen Ndolo told the media that the facility received 10 casualties and that two of them were in critical condition.
Ndolo stated, “We have dispatched additional blood to that facility, together with three more ambulances for any referrals.”
While police are yet to establish the cause of the accident, reports indicated that the matatu experienced brake failure before it rolled several times.
Mixed Reaction from Kenyans
Similarly, the accident drew mixed reactions with Kenyans wondering how a 14-seater matatu had almost 20 passengers.
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For some, state agencies like the police and the National Transport and Safety Authority – NTSA were to blame.
“It’s high time the NPS and NTSA ensured PSVs do not carry excess passengers as well,” stated Kibet Ruttoh on X.
“So, the car was carrying 17 passengers!” Gidion Statistic on X asked.
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Others called for prioritization of the safety of passengers in terms of the design of the vehicles.
“It is the highest time PSVs in Kenya be designed for carrying people safely, not ferrying them like cabbages.
More accidents amid festivities
The country has witnessed a considerable number of road accident even as festivities kick on.
Still on Saturday, December 16, another accident happened at Mulot and Lulunga in Narok County.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, the incident involved a trailer and matatu.
“Eleven casualties have been swiftly taken to Narok County Referral Hospital by Kenya Red Cross.
The scene has been cleared by the Kenya Police and fortunately, no fatalities have been reported.
Kenya Red Cross Narok will provide psychosocial support services to those affected,” the humanitarian organization said in a statement.
On December 2, five people died after a 14-seater matatu rammed a trailer at Londiani area along the Nakuru-Kericho Highway.
Further, on December 14, 40 people sustained injuries after a 66-seater bus crashed at the Londiani blackspot.
