Families of persons who perished in a grisly road accident at River Yala’s Iguhu Bridge on the Kisumu-Kakamega highway on Wednesday evening continue to flock to the Kakamega County mortuary to identify bodies of their loved ones and condole with those recuperating at the health facility.
The accident, which happened Wednesday evening at around 6 pm, claimed the lives of 10 people while 20 others were injured, according to a report by the Western Regional Traffic Enforcement Office.
A mother, who lost her son recounted to KNA the last communication she had with her 22-year-old son.
She said her son, who was a student at Kongoni Technical and Vocational Training College in Likuyani, had kept in constant communication with her after leaving Kakamega town aboard the ill-fated matatu.
“I called my son at around 5 pm, and he told me he was past Kakamega town and was about to arrive home (at Mbale in Vihiga County),” said the distraught mother, Dina Amimo.
"My son was a skilled dancer, and I had just seen clips of his performance in college,” mourned the mother.
Esther Masinde, wife to the driver of one of the ill-fated matatu, expressed anguish at the loss of her husband.
According to the police, a tanker heading towards Kakamega lost control and rammed into two 14-seater matatus that were travelling in the opposite direction.
“Motor vehicle Reg. No. KAS 537W/ZC 6451 Mercedes Benz tanker was being driven from Kisumu heading towards Kakamega by an unknown driver who escaped after the accident. On reaching the scene, he hit a bump, lost control of the motor vehicle and veered off to the right side of the road and hit two vehicles,” the traffic police report read in part.
Scores of those injured are recuperating at Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital, Iguhu Hospital, and Mukumu Mission Hospital.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi sent a message of condolences to families who lost their loved ones.
“In this time of profound grief, may the Lord grant them comfort and strength. To those who have been injured, I send my heartfelt wishes for a swift and full recovery,” his statement reads.
Mudavadi urged all road users to exercise extra caution and vigilance to ensure the safety of all as the festive season approaches.
Kakamega County Governor Fernandez Barasa also condoled with the families of those who lost their lives as well as those recuperating at the Referral Hospital.
Last evening, medical staff and emergency teams were mobilised and provided the necessary treatment and care to the injured.
Meanwhile, police have launched a manhunt for the driver of the tanker that caused the fatal accident after he escaped from the scene.
