In a devastating incident on the Kisumu-Nairobi road, eleven lives were lost in a road accident that occurred at the Othoo area, merely eight kilometers from Awasi. The accident took place in the early hours of Monday, marking a somber start to the week.
According to Allan Mwangi, the Nyanza traffic commandant, the collision involved a mini-bus en route to Nairobi and a lorry heading towards Kisumu. The severity of the impact was compounded as a third vehicle, a Nissan, which was trailing the ill-fated mini-bus, also suffered significant damage.
Mwangi provided details on the casualties, stating, “We lost 8 men, two women, and a teenager.” The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving families in mourning and prompting swift response efforts from locals, police, and the Red Cross team.
Rescue operations were initiated immediately to free those trapped inside the vehicles. The injured victims, numbering 53, were swiftly evacuated to various hospitals for urgent medical attention. Ahero Sub County Hospital and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu received the injured, where medical teams are working diligently to provide care.
“The wreckages have been towed to Ahero police station pending further investigations,” Mwangi stated, underscoring the need for a thorough examination to determine the factors contributing to the tragic accident.
The bodies of the deceased have been preserved at the Ahero Sub County Hospital mortuary, as authorities work to notify and support the affected families during this difficult time.
As news of the accident spreads, the community is left grappling with the profound loss, and the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety measures. Authorities continue to emphasize the need for vigilance and adherence to traffic regulations to prevent further tragedies on our roads.
This heartbreaking event has left a lasting impact on the community, urging a collective call for heightened road safety awareness and measures to avert such devastating accidents in the future.
