23 people have perished, and 16 others are admitted in hospital for treatment after the vehicle they were travelling in lost control and collided head-on with a lorry along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway on Sunday morning.

The accident occurred at around 7.45 am at the Kanga area in Kambu Sub County, where 19 people perished on the spot and 4 others died while receiving treatment at Mtito Andei Sub County hospital on Sunday.

The grisly accident happened when the driver of the bus Reg. No. KCN 373N, Isuzu, belonging to the Power of the Word Church International, overtook a fleet of vehicles and collided head-on with Tipper Trailer Truck Reg. No. KDP 473W/ZG504F that was coming from the Mombasa.

“Today morning, at about 7.45 am, a serious road accident occurred at the Kanga area near Mtito Andei involving a religious institution bus and a tipper truck. The impact of the accident ripped off about half of the roof of the bus and severely damaged both vehicles,” said Makueni County Commissioner (CC) Abdullahi Khalif, who confirmed the accident on Sunday to Kenya News Agency.

“Unfortunately, a total of 23 passengers from both vehicles have been confirmed dead, and 6 others sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment in hospital,” Abdullahi added.

The administrator said that police have launched investigations to establish the cause of the accident saying 45 passengers were in the ill-fated bus.

Speaking to the media, the Chief Officer of the Department of Health, Dr Harvey Mulei, said that 16 patients were received at Mtito Andei Sub County Hospital, noting that 2 have since been referred to Makindu Sub County Hospital.

“The facility currently received 16 patients who are being treated, while 2 have been referred to Makindu Sub County Hospital. We also received 23 bodies. 19 died on the spot and 4 succumbed while undergoing treatment at Mtito Andei Sub County Hospital,” Dr Mulei said.

A month ago, Catholic faithful perished along the same highway as they were headed to Nakuru County for prayers.

By Patrick Nyakundi