Bus driver charged over accident that killed Technical University of Mombasa students in Kisumu
He also faces 10 counts of driving without due care and attention, contrary to Section 49(1) of the Traffic Act, relating to injuries sustained by 10 passengers in the crash.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged a bus driver over an accident that killed two Technical University of Mombasa students and injured other passengers on August 7, 2026, along the Ahero–Awasi Highway in Kisumu County.
Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Evelyn Makungu Onzere at Nyando Law Courts, Jotham Murumba Wanjala denied 12 charges, including two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
The prosecution, led by Principal Prosecution Counsel Douglas Moseti, accused Wanjala of causing the deaths of Evance Odiwour Otieno and Rooney Owek Gakumba through dangerous driving, contrary to Section 46 of the Traffic Act, Cap. 403, Laws of Kenya.
He also faces 10 counts of driving without due care and attention, contrary to Section 49(1) of the Traffic Act, relating to injuries sustained by 10 passengers in the crash.
The court heard that Wanjala drove the bus at a speed and in a manner that endangered the public before losing control of the vehicle, which veered off the road.
The accident occurred in the Boya area of Nyando Sub-County as the bus carried mourners travelling to the burial of former Technical University of Mombasa students’ leader Elvis “Beast” Otieno.
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The court granted Wanjala a bond of Sh500,000, with no alternative cash bail.
The case will be mentioned on November 5, 2026.
In a statement, TUM Vice Chancellor Prof Laila U. Abubakar said students had travelled from Mombasa to Kisumu to attend Otieno’s burial.
The university said the students arrived safely in Kisumu, where they received Otieno’s body after it had been flown from Mombasa.
The crash, however, happened as the convoy headed to the burial venue near Ahero. According to the university, the last bus carrying mourners overturned after the driver attempted to avoid an oncoming vehicle.
“Tragically, while approaching Ahero, the last bus carrying mourners was involved in a road accident after the driver attempted to avoid a head-on collision with an oncoming over-speeding saloon car,” read the statement.
The university added that the driver lost control during the manoeuvre, causing the bus to overturn.
“Regrettably, two of our male students lost their lives in the accident,” Prof Abubakar said.
She said 29 students sustained injuries and received treatment at Lisa Hospital in Ahero and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.
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