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Mwaura called for vigilance by all road users to ensure safety and reduce the number of road accidents.
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The university also suspended learning in honour of the students.
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The government has availed psychosocial care and counselling services to the Kenyatta University fraternity following Monday’s road accident near the Maungu area, Taita Taveta, which left 11 students dead.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the State, through the Ministry of Education, is working closely with the university officials to ensure all necessary support is given to the affected students.
“We join in mourning the loss of our young and promising citizens and pray for the quickest recovery of the injured,” Mwaura said in a statement.
He noted that the university has set up a help desk at the Business Student Services Centre, room 151, to offer assistance and respond to queries from parents and members of the public.
According to Mwaura, two buses had departed from the university for an academic trip at the Coast; one bus arrived safely, while the other was involved in a collision with a heavy truck around 6 pm.
"The planned trip has been cancelled and the students who had arrived for the trip recalled to the institution in a show of solidarity with the affected comrades," he said.
Mwaura said 24 students are currently hospitalised.
“Eight students in critical condition have been airlifted to Nairobi through the support of AMREF Flying doctors, who have provided three planes to help in the medical evacuation,” he stated.
“Another eight students who are in critical condition are also being airlifted for further treatment in Nairobi, through the support of the Kenya Red Cross.”
Mwaura called for vigilance by all road users to ensure safety and reduce the number of road accidents.
“Further updates will be communicated as they become available. Once again, we offer our most sincere condolences to those who have lost their loved ones,” he stated.
The university also suspended learning in honour of the students.
KU Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics Waceke Wanjohi in a notice on Tuesday said learning will be suspended for three days during which they will mourn the departed souls.
"Following this unprecedented tragedy, the University Management has decided to suspend all classes for three days beginning Wednesday, March 20, 2024, to enable us to mourn our beloved students," Wanjohi said.