At least 51 people have been confirmed dead and 32 others hospitalized in Kericho County following the tragic multiple crash that occurred at Londiani junction on Friday evening.
This is after two more bodies were retrieved from under the wreckage of the trailer.
Officials said a total of 51 bodies were received at the Kericho County Hospital and Londiani Sub-county hospital mortuaries, as of Saturday morning.
Rift Vally regional police boss Tom Odera confirmed they had collected 51 bodies.
“We have 51 bodies now. Many others were injured and are in hospitals,” said Odera.
Regional security teams rushed to the scene following the 6.30 pm accident that occurred after a truck lost control, running over pedestrians, business people, and matatus that were parked by the roadside.
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan said 48 died on the spot while others succumbed in hospitals.
He said 32 people were injured.
The truck was heading to Kericho before it lost control and veered off the road, ramming into tens of hawkers who were busy along the Nakuru-Kericho highway.
Witnesses said the driver of the truck was trying to avoid hitting a bus that was parked on the road after developing a mechanical hitch before losing control.
Several Nissan matatus were damaged beyond recognition during the evening accident.
Up to nine vehicles were affected.
More than 32 people were rushed to different hospitals in Londiani, Kericho, and Nakuru where they are currently receiving treatment.
Rescue efforts were slowed by heavy rains being witnessed at the scene.
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen visited the scene and directed the erecting of speed bumps at the Londiani Junction in Kericho County as part of measures to curb road accidents following the tragedy.
Murkomen said the government would also support the families of the accident victims.
He said the government will relocate roadside markets in a bid to curb accidents.
Following the accident, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Saturday, July 1, directed police officers across the country to intensify enforcement of traffic rules.
In a statement, Kindiki ordered the police to arrest all motorists who flaunt traffic rules.
The CS instructed the officers to focus on the condition of vehicles after establishing that Kenyans drive defective and unroadworthy vehicles.
“Police officers across the country are directed to enforce traffic rules firmly and apprehend all offenders flouting traffic rules, including but not limited to those driving defective and unroadworthy motor vehicles,” read the statement in part.
This is the latest fatal accident to happen. National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) statistics released on Thursday, June 29, show 2,124 people have died in accidents since January 2023.
Most affected were passengers at 729 and motorcyclists at 561.
