45 Students Hospitalized After School Bus Accident

A school bus belonging to Kemasare Secondary School has been involved in an accident along Oyugis-Kadondo Road at Center junction. 

According to reports, the bus was carrying students from two Schools including Nyameru Secondary and Kemasare Secondary on their way to Kisumu on Sunday, July 14, 2024.

About 45 students are currently admitted at Nyamira Referral Hospital where they are undergoing emergency treatment.

According to reports, the students were headed to Music Festivals at Kisumu Girls when their school bus was involved in a road accident. 

Nyamira County County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Dr. Donald Mogoi says the medical team at the hospital is doing the best to treat the injured students.

“Students from St. Joseph Kemasare Mixed & Nyameru Secondary Schools were involved in a crash Sunday morning. 45 students are at Nyamira County Referral Hospital undergoing emergency treatment,” he said.

Olasiti Boarding Bus Accident

This comes after six teachers and three students were injured in an accident at Kimwani along Nandi Hills-Kopere Road in Nandi County on Saturday morning, July 13.

Tinderet Deputy County Commissioner Esther Oyugi said the accident involved the Olasiti Boarding Primary School bus with 42 pupils and six teachers on board.

He explained that the bus lost control and landed in a ditch around the Coptic area, but no fatalities were reported.

“We have had six teachers and three pupils seriously injured in the accident which occurred in the Kimwani area. The bus from Olasiti Boarding Primary School had 42 pupils, six teachers, and the driver,” Oyugi said.

Oyugi said the bus was headed back to Narok County after participating in the Rift Valley Music Festivals held at the East Africa University of Baraton.

Residents rushed to the accident scene and helped pull the screaming students from the bus. The injured were taken to Nandi Hills County Hospital for treatment.

“Those injured have been rushed to Nandi Hills County Hospital for management, but we have an update that four of them—a teacher and three pupils—have been referred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret,” Oyugi said.

Also Read: Casualties Reported as School Bus Carrying Pupils and Teachers Crashes

Murkomen’s Directives

Before the school reopening in April, Former Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen called on road users to exercise caution so as to ensure the safety of children as schools.

Murkomen said the heavy rains currently experienced that month created unsafe road conditions and flooding. 

“This new term coincides with heavy rains, creating hazardous road conditions due to flooding and damaged infrastructure. Road users should not underestimate the dangers of rain and flooding, as even shallow pools can hide deep potholes or deep currents,” he said.

NTSA School Bus Regulations

In March 2024, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) issued directives stating that all school transport vehicles must meet specific conditions to ensure the safety of students during transit.

These conditions include possessing a valid Road Service Licence (RSL), an inspection certificate, and a functional speed limiter. 

NTSA said all school vehicles must have valid insurance coverage, a prerequisite for operating on public roads.

Also Read: Accident Alert: 12 Dead as Bus Collides With Trailer on Highway

The Authority emphasizes the importance of driver qualifications and certifications, adding that drivers must hold the requisite Driving Licence (DL) class endorsement and possess a valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge.

“All School transport vehicles must have; Valid Road Service Licence (RSL), Valid inspection certificate, A functional speed limiter and a Valid vehicle insurance,” noted NTSA

“We urge all schools to ensure compliance with traffic rules and regulations.”

According to NTSA, this ensures that individuals responsible for transporting school children are adequately trained and licensed, thereby minimizing risks associated with inadequate driving skills.

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