Scores injured in Lamu bus accident

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The scene of the accident at Katsaka Kairu area in Lamu where a passenger bus belonging to Mombasa Raha Company veered off the road and rolled, injuring 20 people. PHOTO: NATASHA NEMA.

Lamu, KENYA: At least 20 people were injured with five of them in critical condition after a Lamu bound bus they were travelling in veered off the road and rolled at Katsaka Kairu, along the Lamu-Mombasa road on Monday.

The bus belonging to Mombasa Raha Bus Company, was heading to Mombasa from Lamu and  the driver was said to be over speeding when the incident happened at around 11am.

The bus had at least 50 passengers when it rolled.

Those who were injured were rushed to the Witu Dispensary while the critically injured were referred to the Mpeketoni Sub-County hospital in Lamu West.

The incident was confirmed by Lamu West Deputy County Commissioner Mr Louis Rono who said officers had already been sent to the scene of the accident to assess the situation.

“It is true. A bus belonging to Mombasa Raha Company has veered off the road and rolled injuring several people that were on board. No casualties reported so far. The incident happened at Kastaka Kairu this morning. The driver was over speeding and was trying to overtake another passenger bus when the incident happened. I haven’t established the exact number of passengers that were onboard,” said Mr Rono.

Mr Rono said despite the bad state of the road, drivers still had a duty to ensure their lives and that of the passengers are safeguarded by observing all traffic rules including driving at the required speed.

The incident was also confirmed by Lamu’s Linda Boni Operation Director Mr Joseph Kanyiri who said,

“A passenger bus belonging to Mombasa Raha Company was involved in roll over at Kastaka Kairu this morning. I am out of office but several people were injured. There was response from our officers. I don’t have the numbers.”

Some passengers who talked to Baraka FM on Monday blamed the bad state of the Lamu-Garsen road and careless driving amongst drivers of the buses.

“We want the government to speed up the construction of our road here in Lamu. Most drivers are not keen when driving and our lives are always at risk when travelling,” said one of the passengers who refused to be named.

On October 6, 2016, one passenger died while six were injured after a T.S.S bus they had boarded to Mombasa, rolled at Mkunumbi area along the Lamu-Mombasa road.

On June, 2016, several passengers escaped unhurt when a Tahmeed Bus travelling from Lamu to Mombasa caught fire at near Gamba area along the Lamu-Mombasa road.

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