A Traffic police officer inspects the mangled wreckage of a matatu that killed seven people along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway after colliding with a lorry last month. 10 passengers died when their bus was involved in an accident at Mitheru market on the Meru-Chuka road on August 14, 2011. PHOTO / FILE
By CHARLES WANYORO charlwanyoro@yahoo.co.uk
Posted Sunday, August 14 2011 at 22:00
Posted Sunday, August 14 2011 at 22:00
IN SUMMARY
- Several admitted to Chuka district hospital
Ten passengers died when their bus was involved in an accident at Mitheru market on the Meru-Chuka road.
The four women, two men and four children were among 29 passengers who were travelling towards Chuka town when the vehicle veered off the road and rolled several times.
Five passengers died on the spot, three others on arrival at Chuka district hospital while two women died as they were being transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialised treatment.
Seventeen passengers were admitted to Chuka district hospital.
Meru South deputy police boss Caleb Matoke said the cause of the accident was still unknown although some of the injured at Chuka hospital said the bus was carrying excess passengers and speeding.
“I boarded the vehicle at Mitheru. After travelling for about one kilometre, the vehicle started swerving and the driver lost control of it.
It rolled several times.
The vehicle had about 30 passengers and was speeding,” Mr Eliphaz Mbae told reporters at his hospital bed.
Mr Matoke, however, said the bus only appeared crowded because of children accompanying their parents.
“You know yesterday was a Sunday. Many parents were accompanied by their children. The case is under investigation. We will learn the cause of accident after vehicle inspectors arrive,” he said.
He said the driver and the conductor were among those at the hospital.
At the same time, President Kibaki has directed police to deal ruthlessly with traffic offenders.
The President said motorists, who endanger the lives of others, should not be shown mercy.
“The police should deal firmly with those who endanger the lives of others through reckless driving,” he said.
Speaking after launching construction of a Sh1.9 billion road expected to ease congestion in the western part of Nairobi, President Kibaki also said traffic jams were mostly caused by impatient drivers.
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