One person dies, two injured in accident along Eldoret

**Residents at the scene of an accident after two vehicles collided head on along the busy Eldoret – Iten highway. One person died on the spot. [PHOTO/Ian Omondi/Standard]**

One person died on the spot while two others sustained serious injuries in two separate accidents that occurred on Thursday evening along the busy Eldoret –Iten highway.

According to an eye witness, the first accident involved a Toyota fielder and a saloon car that collided head on near Action Estate killing one occupant on the spot while the occupant of the other was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in a critical condition.

Jared Rono, a matatu driver plying Eldoret -Chepkoilel route told The Standard that the driver of the Toyota fielder was overtaking another vehicle when he rammed into an oncoming car, killing the occupant of the other car.

“The driver of the other vehicle tried to overtake me even after I had indicated that there was an oncoming car,” said Rono.

He accused the driver of the Toyota fielder of negligence saying the accident could have been averted if the driver observed traffic rules.

Local residents said the area was a black spot and expressed the need for speed bumps in the area to slow down traffic along the route.

“This area is prone to accidents and the bumps that were erected have worn out posing a threat to people using this highway,” said Millicent Rotich, a local resident.

In a separate incident, a cyclist sustained serious injuries after he was knocked by a speeding matatu along Eldoret-Iten highway.

The accident occurred barely an hour after the first one involved a town service matatu plying Munyaka-Eldoret route and a cyclist who was heading to Eldoret.

Eldoret East OCPD Munyanzi while confirming the incidents warned motorists to be on the lookout when approaching sharp bends to avert more cases of accidents.

“We are approaching the festive seasons and all road users should remain vigilant while on the roads,” he said on phone.