A horrifying road accident in western Kenya has resulted in a rising death toll, reaching 49, according to government officials. The incident occurred at a busy road junction on Friday evening when a truck lost control and collided with multiple vehicles and pedestrians. This devastating crash is one of the deadliest accidents the country has witnessed in recent years. Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen expressed his condolences to the victims’ families during his visit to the scene. The wreckage remains a challenging site for rescuers who fear that more victims may still be trapped.
The search operation has resumed, focusing on extracting two bodies from the wreckage while remaining uncertain about the presence of additional casualties. The accident took place on a highway that connects the lakeside town of Nakuru with Kericho, renowned for its picturesque tea plantations. Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan reported that over 30 individuals sustained injuries when the truck rammed into cars, minibuses, motorcycle taxis, and market stalls at the bustling Londiani junction. The initial death toll had been reported as 48 on Friday, but it tragically increased as the rescue efforts continued.
The fate of the truck driver involved in the incident remains unclear at this time. Kenyan leaders, including President William Ruto, expressed their condolences following the accident. Social media platforms were inundated with posts commemorating the victims, with the hashtag #Londiani trending as users shared images of a candle next to the town’s name. Witnesses described the accident as a sudden and chaotic event, leaving many with no time to escape. Joel Rotich, a witness at the scene, recounted the confusion and panic that ensued as people screamed and scattered in the aftermath of the crash.
Kenya has long struggled with road safety issues, as highlighted by figures from the National Transport and Safety Authority. In the previous year alone, approximately 21,760 individuals were involved in road accidents, with a staggering 4,690 losing their lives. Transport Minister Murkomen has previously attributed much of the carnage on the roads to human error, including drunk driving, reckless behavior, speeding, and dangerous overtaking. As the search operation continues at the accident site, the nation mourns the tragic loss of life and grapples with the urgent need to address road safety concerns to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.