By Kelvin Wagura
A bus operating under the western cross express Sacco alias Homeboyz, Wednesday claimed 48 lives on the spot. The death toll has since risen to 55 passengers. The bus was reported to be travelling from Nairobi to Kisumu. According to eyewitnesses, the accident happened at 4 am. It occurred at the Tunnel area, a black spot on the Londiani-Muhoroni road.
According to one of the survivors, Mr. Joseph Oponyo the bus left Nairobi terminus at around midnight. He continued to state that the bus was at around Westlands when the driver was ordered to go back for more passengers.
Witnesses claim that the bus was overloaded and that some passengers sat on crates. When some passengers began complaining on why the bus was carrying excess passengers, the conductor replied in a rude manner.
In addition, the bus was speeding and kept swerving as per Mr. Opondo. The driver behind the wrecked bus is reported to be 72 years.
The man behind the wheels, who was only identified as Lucas was described by multiple sources to be familiar with the route. Fatigue or sleep could have set in as he was reported to have driven the vehicle from Kisumu to Nairobi during the day, arriving at 5pm in the evening. He had no reliever as the law requires for long distances.
James Mugera, Kericho police boss confirmed that out of the 56 passengers, there were 35 male casualties, 13 women and 8 children.
The police are looking for the owners of the bus. On the other hand the national transport safety Authority boss, Francis Mejja said that the bus was not licensed to go at night.