At least 7 people have been confirmed dead and others injured in a road accident involving a lorry and a matatu along the Katito-Kendu Bay Road.
Kisumu County Traffic Commandant Allan Mwangi has confirmed the incident indicating that the matatu was ferrying passengers to Homabay County.
The matatu collided with a lorry at Katito in Nyakach leading to several deaths. The traffic Commandant has indicated that rescue operations are ongoing.
Witnesses at the scene indicated that the lorry involved in the collision was ferrying sand.
Additionally, Mwangi noted that passengers were rushed to hospital after sustaining varying degrees of injuries.
Red cross has also issued a statement on the accident, indicating that it had dispatched first responded to the scene.
“A lorry has reportedly lost control and collided with a PSV Matatu at Nyalunya along the Katito-Homa Bay road. Response teams are currently at the scene,” indicated Red Cross.
Also Read: Okiyah Omtatah Involved in a Road Accident
Latest Cases of Accidents in Kisumu County
On February 16, 2024, Omtatah experienced a serious road accident along the Kisumu-Busia highway.
Recounting the incident, he explained that the crash occurred in the Ojola area of Kisumu County while he was en route to Busia.
He indicated that a trailer lost control, colliding with his vehicle forcing it off the road. Fortunately, the senator emerged unharmed, and officers from Maseno Police Station escorted him back to Busia County.
Additionally, on January 26, former Star Journalist Dickens Wasonga died in a road accident in Kisumu after a head on collision.
At the time of his death, Wasonga was a Production Director with Radio Nam Lolwe, and the Chairman of the Kisumu Journalists Network (KJN).
Later on January 29, a Super Metro bus collided with a lorry while trying to overtake another vehicle at high speed in Kisumu County. The bus was leaving Uganda for Nairobi when the accident occurred.
Also Read: Star Journalist Dies in Grisly Road Accident
Anyang’ Nyong’o on Accident in Kisumu
Concerned by the increasing number of accidents in Kisumu, Kisumu County Governor Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o questioned police officers asking whether the vehicles involved in the accidents were road worthy.
Additionally, the Kisumu Governor asked police to clarify whether the bus company (Super Metro) had been licensed to operate on the Kisumu route where the accident took place.
“The Othoo accident, for example, has raised many questions which the traffic police must help us answer. Were the vehicles involved in the crash road worthy?” Governor Nyong’o posed.
“Was the bus carrying passengers beyond its capacity? What became of the rule barring lorries and trailers from using the highways at night? Was the bus licensed to operate on the route?” he questioned.
According to the latest National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) February 14, 2024, report, a total of 563 Kenyans lost their lives in road accidents between January 1 to February 11, 2024. Omtatah is a politician cum activist.