Ten people have died, and 20 others sustained injuries in a severe road accident involving a tanker and two matatus on the Kakamega-Kisumu road near Iguhu area/Yala Bridge on Wednesday evening.
The crash occurred at approximately 6 p.m. when a Mercedes-Benz tanker, registered KAS 537W/ZC 6451 and heading from Kisumu toward Kakamega, struck a speed bump. According to police, the tanker lost control, veered to the right side of the road, and collided with two oncoming matatus.
The two matatus, a Toyota of Mitrans Sacco and another of Transline Sacco carrying 14 passengers, were both en-route from Kakamega toward Kisumu. The tanker hit them with such force that ten passengers died instantly, while 20 others suffered injuries of varying severity.
“This is a tragic accident, and our hearts go out to the families affected by this horrific crash,” said the base commander for Kakamega.
“Efforts to locate the driver of the tanker, who fled the scene after the crash, are ongoing. We urge anyone with information on the driver’s whereabouts to come forward.”
Emergency responders quickly attended to the victims, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals and transferring the deceased to Kakamega County General and Referral Hospital Morgue for identification and autopsy.
The scene was documented, and the vehicles await towing to the Kakamega Police Station as investigations continue. Police confirmed that a detailed report will be issued after further analysis of the incident.
