- She said the incident happened at about 6.20 am as the children were walking and crossing to their school.
- They were three pupils at Kyaoni Primary and three from Kyaoni Secondary.
At least six school-going children were killed Friday morning in a road accident at Wiitu shopping centre on the Kitui-Kibwezi road, Kitui County.
Police said the victims included three primary school children and three from secondary school.
National Police Service spokesperson Dr Resila Onyango said the victims included five girls.
She said the incident happened at about 6.20 am as the children were crossing to their school.
They were three pupils at Kyaoni Primary and three from Kyaoni Secondary.
“They died on the spot and police are handling the matter,” she said.
Ikutha Deputy County Commissioner Vincent Lomachary, said the learners were knocked down by a Probox salon car while crossing the road.
He said preliminary findings show the car was speeding at the time of the accident.
He termed the incident tragic.
The driver of the vehicle fled the scene before later surrendering himself to Mutomo Police Station.
He was arrested and the vehicle impounded as investigations into the incident continue, police said.
This is the latest such accident to happen in the country amid calls to address the menace.
Fatal accidents have been on the rise amid efforts to address the trend.
Up to 4,000 people are killed annually in separate accidents.
Many others are left with injuries in the incidents that have a negative impact on families.
Some of the accidents remain unsolved, officials say. There are efforts to address the accidents.
The National Transport and Safety Authority says the leading causes of fatal crashes included hit-and-runs, tyre bursts, and vehicles and motorcycles losing control.
Also overtaking improperly and failing to keep the proper lane resulting in head-on collisions are mentioned as causes.