By Grace Gilo
A tragic accident on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway has resulted in the loss of 13 lives, including that of a one-week-old infant. The incident occurred this morning when a bus travelling to Mombasa collided with a private vehicle at the notorious Migaa blackspot near Salgaa.
The collision, which took place at approximately 4 a.m. on Tuesday, involved a Coast Bus en route from Kakamega to Mombasa, carrying an undetermined number of passengers.
According to a statement from the Red Cross on X, “Thirty-six individuals with injuries have been transported to Molo and Coptic Hospitals following a road traffic incident involving a public service vehicle and multiple cars at Migaa in Molo, Nakuru County.”
Sub-County Police Commander Timon Odingo confirmed the details of the accident, noting that two of the five occupants in the small vehicle, a branded Toyota Passo, and 11 passengers aboard the Coast Bus were pronounced dead at the scene.
The police commander explained that both vehicles were travelling in the same direction from Eldoret to Nakuru.
Upon reaching Migaa, the driver of the smaller vehicle slowed down to navigate a bump, at which point the bus driver collided with it, leading to the devastating crash.
Furthermore, he reported that 10 injured individuals are receiving care at Molo Sub-County Hospital, while 17 are being treated at Nakuru County Referral Hospital, and 28 have been taken to Coptic Hospital.
In response to the incident, a team from the Kenya Red Cross has been actively assisting to ensure that all survivors receive the necessary care.
“The Kenya Red Cross, in collaboration with a multi-agency response team, remains on-site to offer support,” the Red Cross added.
The police have initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
“In total, 42 casualties have been transported to various hospitals within Nakuru County, facilitated by a multi-agency response team. The Kenya Red Cross is also offering psychosocial support services to the families affected by this tragedy,” the Red Cross added later on.
More to follow.