At least 21 people have lost their lives following a devastating road accident involving a bus belonging to AIC Naki High School at the Coptic Roundabout in Kisumu on Friday evening.
Authorities have clarified that no students were aboard the school bus at the time of the accident.
According to Regional Traffic Enforcement Officer Peter Maina, the crash occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. as the bus was travelling from Kakamega to Kisumu. Preliminary findings suggest the driver lost control of the vehicle near the roundabout, veered across to the opposite lane, and plunged into a ditch.
“The driver appears to have lost control of the vehicle as it approached the Coptic Roundabout, crossed over to the opposite lane heading back to Kakamega, and plunged into a ditch,” said Maina.
The tragic crash claimed the lives of 10 women, 10 men, and a 10-year-old girl. Their identities are yet to be released, and the purpose of the trip remains under investigation.
An additional five people sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu. Fifteen others, including a minor, escaped with minor injuries and are also being treated at the same facility.
Maina noted that the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, and mechanical experts are set to conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle to determine whether mechanical failure played a role.
The tragic incident has reignited calls for stricter safety regulations, especially surrounding the use of school-owned vehicles for non-school-related activities.
Police have secured the crash scene, and investigations are ongoing.
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