In a devastating incident on the Kisumu-Nairobi Highway, a Super Metro bus originating from Kampala collided head-on with a lorry in Ahero, resulting in the tragic loss of eleven lives. The victims, comprising two women, eight men, and a teenage boy, met their untimely demise in the early hours of Monday, January 29, at around 2:30 am.
Nyanza Regional Traffic Enforcement Officer Allan Mwangi confirmed the grim news, revealing that an additional 53 passengers sustained injuries during the collision. Among the injured are two drivers and a conductor affiliated with the bus Sacco, who are feared to have succumbed to the severity of the accident.
Reports suggest that the Super Metro bus attempted to overtake another vehicle along the Ahero-Awasi road at a location called Othoo, colliding with a lorry ferrying sugar. The collision resulted in a chaotic scene, leaving multiple individuals injured and in need of urgent medical attention.
Emergency response teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, swiftly reacted to the distress call. The injured were rushed to Ahero Sub-county Hospital, while critical cases were transferred to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. The Kenya Red Cross is actively engaged in providing psychosocial support and managing a tracing desk to assist individuals affected by the tragic accident.
Nyando Sub-county Commander Grace Thuo confirmed the incident, underlining the severity of the situation. The Super Metro Sacco, the operator of the ill-fated bus, also expressed their condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.
In an official statement, Super Metro Sacco said, “As the Super Metro family, we regret to inform the public that one of our buses, plying the Kampala-Nairobi route, was involved in an accident before Awasi along the Kisumu-Nairobi Highway. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families that lost their beloved ones and wish a quick recovery to those who are in the hospital.”
This tragic incident unfolded shortly after the bus received long-distance travel permits, allowing the Sacco to extend its operations beyond Nairobi. The collision has raised concerns about road safety and the need for stringent measures to prevent such accidents in the future.
Authorities are conducting investigations to determine the exact circumstances leading to the collision, and it remains to be seen whether any negligence or violations contributed to this heart-wrenching event. The community is left grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety on our roads to avoid further loss of precious lives.