Two people have died in a tragic road accident along the Machakos – Kitui Road in Machakos County.
Machakos County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia said the duo, both men, died on the spot after a motor vehicle they were travelling in accidentally plunged into Thwake River at the river’s bridge within Machakos Subcounty on Thursday night.
“The motor vehicle, a Probox car, that was ferrying mangoes from an unknown destination plunged into the river at an unknown time of Thursday night. Two unidentified bodies were removed from the wreckage,” Lobolia said.
Lobolia spoke to the Star by phone on Friday.
He said the number of those who were in the vehicle during the accident was yet to be established.
The police boss said it was suspected the accident may have occurred due to the driver’s fatigue disclosing that the vehicle didn’t hit the bridge’s guard rail.
“It’s suspected that the driver might have been asleep since he drove right into the river. The two bodies were collected from the wreckage which is still inside the waters and moved to Machakos Level 5 Hospital mortuary awaiting identification and an autopsy,” Lobolia said.
Lobolia said other occupants of the vehicle were rescued by locals and rushed to hospital when the incident happened.
“We hope that some eyewitnesses will come out and give information on the incident to assist in the ongoing investigations. Our officers are already at the scene assisting in removing the wreckage from the river. We have necessary machinery and equipment at the scene already,” Lobolia said.
“We haven’t yet identified the deceased persons. But, we will follow up with the owner of the motor vehicle to reveal their identities. The driver must have been fatigued,” Lobolia said.
He advised motorists to desist from driving when fatigued and instead have some rest and sleep before they proceed with their journeys to avoid such unnecessary deaths.
Lobolia also discouraged motorists from driving at night unless it was very necessary.
He said they had launched investigations into the incident.
A report by NTSA revealed that last year's road carnage was the bloodiest in history, with the recent festive season claiming the highest toll.
According to NTSA, close to 5,000 people died in road accidents - about 500 more fatalities than in 2023.
NTSA said some 470 Kenyans died in December alone a 10 per cent increase from 2023.
The closest to this number was in June when 410 people perished. According to NTSA, Motorcycles, are commercial and private vehicles accounted for the highest number of road crashes during the year under review.
