Five passengers die, scores injured as three buses collide

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By PHILIP MWAKIO

Five people, among them two drivers, died in an accident involving three buses along the busy Mombasa-Nairobi highway at Kenani, 30 kilometres from Mtito Andei town on Christmas day.

Six people were admitted at Voi District Hospital, two of them in critical condition.

The accident involved two buses belonging to Coast Bus and another owned by Maslah Company.

Witnesses said the Maslah bus, which was travelling from Mombasa, had attempted to overtake a lorry before it rammed into an oncoming Coast Bus, which was coming from Nairobi.

Debris that included personal belongings and front wheels of one of the buses littered the ground.

Fifteen passengers were rushed to Moi District Hospital, Voi while some were taken to Makindu District Hospital.

Back injuries

The bodies were taken to Makindu District Hospital mortuary.

A Japanese tourist on holiday, Mr Kurita Hidoki, 23, a student at Kobe City University, who was injured in the accident, said he was asleep when the crash occurred.

"It happened so fast. I found myself flung out of the bus,’’ Hidoki, who suffered head and back injuries, told The Standard.

Hospital chief Dr Sabah Mohamed confirmed that out of 15 people admitted at the facility, nine were discharged. "We still have four men and two women. Save for one, the rest are all clinically stable," she said.

Female ward

It was a painful Christmas for businessman Daniel Kimani who was travelling with his wife, Cecilia Nyambura, to join their upcountry families for the festivities, as they were both injured.

Kimani, who was slightly injured on the head and legs, sat together with his wife in the female ward.

Another accident victim, Mr Samson Kalama from Magarini Constituency, thanked God for sparing his life.

"I am lucky to be alive. Although I have not seen my luggage since I was brought here. I am grateful that God wanted me to celebrate Christmas though with much pain," Kalama, who was injured on the nose, one ear and legs, said.