Monday May 13, 2019
At least ten people have been killed in an accident along the Nairobi-Garissa Highway.
The Sunday night accident involved a truck and a bus that was headed for Wajir. Police and witnesses say dozens others were injured in the incident that happened in Tula area near Bangal.
The death toll is expected to rise given the nature of the injuries the victims sustained. The injured were taken to Garissa hospitals.
North Eastern regional commissioner Mohamed Birik said the accident happened after the bus rammed onto a stationary truck that had cement.
“We are investigating the incident. It is unfortunate many have died and others injured,” said Birik.
The number of road crash victims this year has slightly surpassed those who died in 2018. According to the latest survey, by May 9, 2019 a total of 1,192 people had died on the road compared to 1,054 who died by the same date last year.
Pedestrians are still the most vulnerable with 453 having lost their lives. There have been 453 pedestrians who have died in accidents since January as compared to 410 who died last year in the same period while 125 drivers have died since January as compared to 110 of same period last year.
According to the National Transport and Safety Authority, 240 passengers have died since January this year as compared to 212 of last year same period and 234 motor cyclists have died since January as opposed to 209 of same period last year.