A Kitale-bound bus at a scene of an accident that involved a 14-seater matatu and a trailer at Salgaa on the Nakuru- Eldoret highway January 1, 2013. 11 people died and two suffered injuries. SULEIMAN MBATIAH
By SULEIMAN MBATIA smbatiah@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, January 1 2013 at 10:14
Posted Tuesday, January 1 2013 at 10:14
Eleven passengers aboard a matatu perished moments after they ushered in the New Year after the vehicle collided with a bus at Salgaa on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway.
According to police, the 14-seater matatu headed to Nakuru from Eldoret was trying to overtake a trailer before it lost control and collided head on with a bus from the opposite direction.
“Ten passengers died on the spot while another on his way to the hospital. In the trailer, no one was injured,” said Rongai police boss Joseph Mwamburi.
Mr Mwamburi confirmed that the 1am accident claimed all occupants in the matatu.
In the Kitale bound bus, only the driver and a female passenger suffered slight injuries.
“I was driving from Nairobi to Kitale and my passengers were happy with my speed but as the speeding matatu was trying to overtake a trailer we collided head-on,” said Khaemba Kwambi, the bus driver.
Traffic police had a hectic time directing vehicles and locals.
Mr Mwamburi cautioned motorists against spending.
"If he was on a manageable speed, he could have controlled the vehicle and overtake when the road was clear.”
The accident happened in the wake of the new rules that the Traffic Department has attributed to the few cases of accidents during the festive season.
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