Twenty people have sustained serious injuries after the vehicles they were travelling in got involved in a head on collision along the Malindi- Mombasa highway.
The accident that involved two matatu passenger service vehicles happened at the same spot where 15 people died in another accident five days ago.
According to the Malindi Sub County Police Commander John Kemboi who confirmed the accident, one of the vehicles in the accident tried to overtake another vehicle before colliding with the oncoming one at Kizingo area in the 6:30 am accident.
He said that one vehicle was heading to Mombasa while the other one was heading to Malindi and also attributed over speeding and overloading for the accident.
In last week’s accident, fifteen people died while 14 others were seriously injured in a grisly road accident.
Kilifi County Commissioner Kutswa Olaka who visited the accident scene said that the 7 am accident involved a Muhsin bus heading to Garissa from Mombasa and a mini bus belonging to Sabaki Travelers Sacco that was heading to Mombasa.
Mr. Olaka blamed the contractor of the road, Bayus and son limited for digging trenches along the road and not filling them thus exposing the narrow road to the accident.
He added that the tyre of the Muhsin bus burst making the driver lose control and collided head on with the oncoming minibus.
“We have lost 15 people and 14 others are admitted at the Malindi Sub County hospital and other hospitals in critical condition, one person died in hospital,” he said.
The early morning shower almost hampered rescue missions as the bodies of the deceased were being ferried to the morgues.
Mr. Olaka thanked his officers and Red Cross officials for responding in time despite the loss of life and urged drivers to be careful on the roads.
“There was a trye burst of the Muhsin bus making the driver lose control and hit the mini bus. We are not happy with the speed at which the contractor is carrying out works on this road,” he said.
Kilifi County Police Commander Nelson Taliti warned residents against stealing from accident victims. This is after some youth tried to carter away belongings of victims but they were quickly arrested by officers on site.
“I want to urge Kenyans to desist from stealing from accident victims instead of helping them at their time of need, there are people we have arrested who tried to steal from victims,” he said.