The mangled wreckage of the Nissan matatu bears testimony to the impact of the accident that claimed the lives of 5 family members on the Voi Mwatate road.
They were travelling to Mwatate from Voi when they were involved in an accident involving a canter.
According to police, the Matatu that was heading to Mwatate failed to keep to its lane.
It rammed into a Canter lorry that ferrying construction rocks heading to Voi.
The driver of the Nissan matatu is nursing upper-body injuries. He says that the driver of the lorry was occupying both lanes and it was difficult for him to avoid the accident.
The accident occurred in the early hours of Friday morning as the family members were travelling to Ngulu area in Werugha for a funeral.
The woman they were going to bury died in Mombasa. Her husband perished in the morning accident.
Now family members are coming to terms with an incident that has caused untold pain as they embark on plans to bury five of their kin including two children.
Among those who died are the deceased’s brother-in-law and her father-in-law.
Voi OCPD Joshua Chesire confirmed the incident.
The injured were taken to Moi referral hospital in Voi and later transferred to Ikanga private hospital due to the ongoing nurses’ strike.
According to NTSA, the number of road accidents has reduced compared to the same period last year.
About 3,000 people lose their lives in road carnage annually in Kenya. This is despite the numerous campaigns aimed at sensitising the public. The majority of the people who lose their lives in road carnage are road users like pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists.
Additionally, nearly one-third of the deaths are passengers. The economic burden to the country is enormous. According to NTSA, Kenya loses Sh300 Billion to road accidents annually.
Data from National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows that so far, 2397 people have died in road accidents since January to November 9th, 2017;
Pedestrian deaths – 907
Passengers – 575
Motorcyclists – 410
Drivers – 265
Pillon passengers – 197
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