Seven people died on the spot Monday after a truck carrying tonnes of sugarcane rammed into a matatu and pedestrians at Kisian junction in Kisumu County.
Several other people sustained injuries and were rushed to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) for treatment.
Confirming the incident, Kisumu West police commander Edward Kangara said two of the rescued were in critical condition.
According to eye witnesses, the Kisumu-bound truck which was ferrying sugarcane to Kibos Sugar factory lost control and rammed into the matatu before knocking down pedestrians along the busy highway.
They said the driver of the truck, was on high speed and did not hoot or reduce speed while approaching the junction.
Angry onlookers descended on the truck and set it on fire before swift response from the police who repulsed them and cordoned off the area. The driver of the truck was also rescued and rushed to hospital.
The police commander who coordinated the rescue efforts urged motorists to be careful and observe traffic rules along the busy highway. He said police have launched investigations to unearth the cause of the accident.
Kisumu County Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o condoled with the families who lost their loved ones, while urging the police to expeditiously carry out investigations to ascertain the cause of the accident.
“The county is already going through very hard times due to coronavirus and losing so many people in one incident is a big blow not only to the immediate family members but to the entire nation,” the governor said in a statement to the media.
By Chris Mahandara
Seven people killed in grisly road accident
