By Jabali Media
Nine people died while three children escaped with injuries, in an accident along the Eldoret – Kitale highway on Friday morning.
The accident occurred after a matatu – Great Rift Shuttle, plying the route collided head-on with a lorry, at Chemoset area.
The matatu was traveling towards Eldoret, while the truck was headed towards Kitale.
According to Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi, the accident occurred after the driver of the lorry lost control and rammed into the matatu.
The matatu had a total of 12 passengers, with the three children the only survivors. They were rushed to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, in Eldoret.
Mwanthi urged motorists to observe traffic rules so as to avert road accidents, especially now that most people are traveling back to their places of work after the Christmas and New Year festivities.
“We are cautioning our people to be careful on the road and avoid over speeding,” said the police boss.
His sentiments were echoed by Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii, alias Koti Moja.
“Let us drive cautiously and prioritize safety on our roads. I also appeal to the national government more so the Kenya National Highway Authority to expand this critical highway to prevent such tragedies in the future,” he said in a statement on Friday afternoon.
Roads are expected to get even busier starting next week, as schools reopen for the first term.