Five people killed, scores injured in two separate road accidents

Residents help in loading the wreckage of a vehicle involved in an accident at Perekei River Bridge, along Kabartonjo-Kipsaraman road. Two people died in the accident. [PHOTO: ROBERT KIPLAGAT/STAND

Five people died and several others were injured in two separate accidents in Baringo County.

In the first accident that occurred at Perekei River Bridge, along Kabartonjo-Kipsaraman road, two men died and four others were injured after the driver lost control and veered off the road on a steep section.

According to witnesses, one person died on the spot, while another died on the way to Kabarnet Referral Hospital.

“The driver of the Probox lost control and veered off the road near the bridge. One person died on the spot, while another later succumbed to his injuries in hospital,” said a witness.

Baringo Traffic Base Commander Daniel Ololngojine said the second incident, which claimed three lives, happened at Bonde area, along Tenges-Eldama Ravine road.

“The driver of a matatu ferrying passengers to Ravine lost control and hit a woman and a child, killing them on the spot. Five others sustained injuries,” said Ololngojine.

Another woman who had been rushed to Eldama Ravine District hospital after the accident succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment.

Bandit attacks

Ololngojine termed the loss of five lives early in the year as catastrophic, noting that the country has recorded drastic reduction of road accidents.

Meanwhile, residents of Marigat have expressed fear of increased attacks by suspected bandits targeting schools in the area.

They have called on the Government to deploy enough security personnel near schools to ensure learning is not interrupted.

Former Chebinyiny councillor John Wendot said the future of education is uncertain due to increased wave of attacks and vandalism targeting schools.

“We have witnessed many schools being destroyed and some being closed. We need interventions from the Government for us to live peacefully and educate our children,” said Wendot.

On Monday, Arabal Primary School night guard was shot four times by suspected Pokot bandits who did not steal anything from him.

Changole Chemitei was found murdered at a bush near the school with gun wound on the head and left leg.

Wendot said the incident was a major blow to the new-found peace in the area, saying it has affected efforts to return displaced persons to their homes.