Kenya Red Cross has confirmed that 13 people were injured after two school buses carrying 101 pupils were involved in a road accident in the Riting area of West Pokot County
According to the Kenya Red Cross on July 28, the injured, comprising six males and seven females, were evacuated to Kapenguria Referral Hospital for treatment.
The humanitarian agency said psychosocial support is being provided to those affected, while teachers and pupils have been moved to a safe holding area.
“Kenya Red Cross is responding to a road traffic incident involving two school buses carrying 101 pupils in Riting Area, West Pokot County. So far, 13 injured persons (6 males and 7 females) have been evacuated to Kapenguria Referral Hospital for treatment,” read part of the statement.
Response teams from the Kenya Red Cross in West Pokot and Turkana counties are at the scene, working alongside county ambulance services, an additional ambulance from KENGEN, the National Police Service, and other emergency responders.
As of the time of publishing the cause of the accident had not been established.
NTSA on Cracking Down of School Busses
The accident comes after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) announced an intensified road safety operation ahead of the August school holidays.
The authority said enforcement teams will carry out heightened patrols and spot checks on vehicles transporting children, alongside random inspections to assess vehicle roadworthiness.
According to NTSA the operation will also involve strict enforcement against speeding, overloading, drunk driving, driver fatigue, and other traffic offences that endanger passengers.
Also Read: NTSA Announces Nationwide Crackdown on Highways and All Major Roads
In addition, authorities will conduct random checks on driving licences, Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badges, road service licences, and vehicle inspection certificates to ensure compliance with transport regulations.
“As part of the ongoing Operation Watoto Wafike Salama Campaign, the Authority, in collaboration with the National Police Service, County Transport and Safety Committees, and other stakeholders, will intensify road safety compliance checks and public awareness campaigns along major transport corridors,” read part of the statement.
Also Read: Several Students Injured as School Bus Overturns in Mbeere South
Recent Accident
In June, several students from St. Thomas Aquinas Igumori School were injured after the school bus they were travelling in overturned along the Kiritiri–Kiambere Road in Mbeere South.
The students were on their way to Ngenge Secondary School for a music festival competition when the accident happened.
Preliminary reports indicated that the bus lost control on a section of the road undergoing construction before veering off the carriageway and overturning.
Witnesses claimed the road surface had become slippery after water spilled by a contractor carrying out construction works reduced tyre grip, making it difficult for the driver to maintain control.
The crash sparked panic among the students, with residents from the surrounding area rushing to the scene to help rescue those trapped and assist the injured before emergency responders arrived.
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