Migaa accident: Death toll rises to 14
The crash occurred at around 4am near the Migaa area and involved a Scania bus and a Toyota Passo. Courtesy photo
A fatal road accident involving a bus and small personal vehicle along the Eldoret-Nakuru Highway early Tuesday has claimed 14 lives and left 54 others injured.
An earlier update had put the death toll to 13, but the toll has since risen to 14 after one person succumbed while receiving treatment at Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital (NTRH).
NTRH Medical Superintendent Dr James Waweru confirmed this update.
The crash occurred at around 4am near the Migaa area and involved a Scania bus, registration number KCF 103X--owned by Coast Bus--and a Toyota Passo, registration number KDK 732T.
According to police reports, both vehicles were travelling from Eldoret towards Nakuru when the bus driver lost control of the vehicle, leading to a rear-end collision with the Toyota Passo.
The impact forced the bus off the road and into a ditch.
Of the 13 first reported deaths, five(5) were women, seven(7) men, and one infant.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, where they worked to extract victims from the wreckage and provide medical assistance.
The injured were transported to several hospitals, with 10 receiving treatment at Molo Hospital, 17 at Nakuru Provincial General Hospital (PGH), and 28 at Coptic Hospital.
Rift Valley Police Commander Jaspa Ombati had confirmed the casualty figures and noted that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.
Preliminary reports suggest that driver fatigue or mechanical failure could have contributed to the crash, given the early hour at which it occurred.
Witnesses reported that the bus appeared to be speeding before the driver lost control.
The accident has sent shockwaves through the local community, with many of the victims believed to be from Molo Sub-County.
Local authorities have expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased and emphasised the need for improved road safety measures.
In the aftermath of the crash, there have been renewed calls for stricter enforcement of traffic rules, including speed limits and regular vehicle inspections.
The accident highlights the ongoing challenges of road safety in Kenya, where high-speed travel and poorly maintained vehicles often lead to fatal incidents.
Authorities said they will provide more information once it becomes available, including the identities of the victims and the results of the investigation.
