Two killed in separate accidents along Eldoret-Kabarnet Highway

A sombre mood engulfed the scene where a motorcyclist was run over by a speeding car in a grisly road accident that occurred on Sunday evening along the busy Eldoret- Iten highway.

According to eye witnesses who spoke to The Standard at the scene of the accident, the ill-fated vehicle, a Toyota Wish was overspeeding when it hit the motorcyclist from behind, killing him on the spot.

Angry boda boda operators protest at the scene where their colleague was killed by a runaway motorist around Kipchoge Stadium along Eldoret -Iten Highway on Sunday. Residents have decried the rampant cases of accidents along the busy highway and want KeNHA to erect speed bumps. (PHOTO: IAN OMONDI/ STANDARD)

“I heard a loud bang and when I looked behind, I saw a man lying in a pool of blood in the middle of the road,” said Robert Tanui a matatu driver.

Tanui narrated how the taxi driver, who appeared drunk at the time of the accident, attempted to overtake the motor cycle but noticed an oncoming lorry before hitting the motorcycle from behind.

The driver of the vehicle fled the scene after he noticed an angry crowd surging towards his car. He was however chased by the motorists to Hawaii trading centre where his car was overturned before police rescued him.

There was a huge traffic snarl-up on the highway after other boda boda operators who’d got wind of the accident mobbed the scene and barricaded the highway, protesting the death of their colleague.

The angry motor cyclists blamed the police for delayed response in containing the situation even after being informed of the accident.

“We called the police an hour ago but up to now, there is no response,” said one of the motor cyclists.

Eldoret West OCS Samson Rukunga who confirmed the incident said the suspect was in police custody and will be arraigned in court after investigations.

“We have arrested the suspect and will be taking him to court when we are through with investigations, he said.

Elsewhere, a ten-year-old girl died on Sunday afternoon after she was run over by a speeding lorry at Biretwo along Iten–Kabarnet highway.

According to Chepsigot location Chief Ambros Cheruiyot, the girl was knocked down while crossing the road after she had alighted from a matatu.

Cheruiyot urged road users to be more vigilant during the festive season to avert further

The body of the deceased was taken to Iten County Referral Hospital mortuary.

 

Story by Ian Omondi and Silas Lelit.