Faulty brakes caused Tuesday’s accident that killed 13 people at Migaa, along the Kericho-Nakuru highway, authorities and survivors have said.
The accident occurred after a bus belonging to the Coast Bus fleet that left Kisumu for Mombasa rammed into a personal car at the notorious black spot.
Survivors told the Star the driver lost control of the bus due to faulty brakes before it rammed the car that had slowed down to negotiate a bump.
A survivor who did not want to be named said passengers prayed for God’s intervention after they were informed that the brakes had failed.
Passengers screamed uncontrollably as the bus sped downhill and hit bumps.
“The driver informed us that the brakes had failed and we knew there was an accident ahead. Everyone started praying for God’s mercy,” the traveller, who only identified herself as Mercy, said.
The bus hit cars that were in front of it and the survivor says she is lucky to be alive.
The accident occurred in the Migaa area near Salgaa on Tuesday morning.
At least 13 people had been confirmed dead with another 55 injured. Eight were in critical condition. Of the 13 dead, five are women, seven are men and one is an infant.
Red Cross rescuers, who were among the first to arrive on the scene retrieved bodies from the wreckages of vehicles involved in the accident.
The casualties were rushed to various hospitals in Molo.
The bus, headed for Mombasa from Kisumu, had passed through Kericho where it developed mechanical problems.
It rammed into a barrier along the road and vehicles before landing in a ditch.
Rift Valley regional police commander Jasper Ombati said investigations will ascertain the cause of the accident.
“We are cautioning drivers and vehicle owners to ensure that their motor vehicles are in good condition before taking to the road,” Ombati said.
He said the bus had mechanical problems and experienced several stops along the way. In Kericho town, the driver had opted to end the journey and look for another vehicle to ferry the passengers to Nakuru.
Survivors said a mechanic did some repairs although they still sensed a problem with the vehicle.
