In brief
A bus carrying mourners from a funeral tragically overturned in western Kenya, resulting in the deaths of 25 individuals, according to local authorities. The accident occurred on Friday afternoon when the driver lost control of the vehicle on the notorious Kisumu-Kakamega Highway. The police report indicates that 10 women, 10 men, and one girl were killed instantly, while 20 others sustained injuries, with five in critical condition.
The deceased were returning from a burial in Nyahera, heading toward Nyakach, approximately 62 km (38.5 miles) away. The bus, originally designated for secondary school students, was repurposed for the funeral transport. As investigations into the cause of the accident continue, the Ministry of Health in Kenya has called for an "urgent blood drive" to support those injured in the crash and extended its condolences to the grieving families. President William Ruto has emphasized the need for authorities to address traffic violations to promote road safety. The National Transport and Safety Authority of Kenya has pledged to assist in the investigation. Unfortunately, this incident adds to a troubling trend, as just earlier this week, six people perished in a light aircraft crash, and a bus-train collision in Naivasha killed nine. Data shows that between 2020 and 2021, road fatalities in Kenya surged by over 20%, underscoring an urgent need for enhanced road safety measures.
