GLANCE FACTS
Impact saw motorbike dragged on ground with one victim for about 40m, killing her instantly
By Renson Bumula
Three people died in a road accident at Matayos trading centre along the Busia/Kisumu highway in Busia County.
Witnesses said the incident occurred when a van carrying electronic goods going to Busia collided with a boda boda (motorbike) carrying two passengers and heading in the opposite direction.
“The cyclist attempted to cross the road. He was obstructed by a vehicle ahead of him and as they crossed the road, a speeding van hit them, killing one of the passengers on the spot,” said Edwin Barasa, a witness.
According to Barasa, the impact saw the motorbike dragged on the ground together with one victim for about 40m.
The remaining passenger and boda boda rider suffered serious injuries and died while being rushed to Busia County Referral Hospital.
Close friends
The two women were close friends from Munongo village. They had allegedly argued over the means of transport to use and one of them insisted they take a boda boda to reach their destination.
The deceased chose the motorbike in order to reach the market faster while the other was against the idea, saying they should wait for a matatu.
However, the first passenger was able to convince the other and they boarded the motorbike.
Area residents have, however, lamented that efforts to have bumps erected on roads along the busy highway have been frustrated as the Roads ministry has failed to respond to their request.
Black spot
They described the scene of the accident as a black spot.
“Several lives have been lost at the same spot and we fail to understand how many people should die before bumps are erected on this road,” said Jane Auma, a resident. Busia OCPD Kenneth Kimani confirmed the incident, adding the bodies were removed to Busia County Hospital mortuary.
