11 injured after prison van overturns in Homa Bay

Eleven people including prison officers and inmates were injured when a Kenya Prisons Service vehicle involved in a road accident in Homa Bay town.

The injured persons were five prison officers and six inmates who had boarded the vehicle.

They sustained injuries when the Land cruiser van belonging to Rachuonyo GK Prison lost control and overturned on Rongo- Homa Bay highway Tuesday evening.

The victims were rushed to Homa Bay County Referral Hospital for medication by the Kenya Red Cross officials in collaboration with police officers.

Homa Bay County Prisons Commander Robert Basigwa said one of the officers sustained serious injuries in the accident.

“The seriously injured officer was pricked by the riffle he was carrying. The injury occurred in the stomach,” Basigwa said.

The commander said the inmates survived with minor injuries and were out of danger.

Speaking after the incident, Basigwa said the vehicle was ferrying the inmates from Homa Bay County Teaching & Referral Hospital where they had been taken for medication.

“The inmates were being taken back to Rachuonyo Prisons after receiving medical care. The accident was unfortunate and we wish them a quick recovery,” he said.

Isaiah Ogola, a resident who witnessed the accident said it occurred when the van driver attempted to evade hitting a matatu that stopped suddenly.

The matatu driver stopped for a passenger to alight without indication, he said.

“The driver of the prison vehicle applied emergency breaks before he lost control and the vehicle overturned,” Ogola said.

The vehicle was towed to Homa Bay police station for inspection.