BY VINCENT MABATUK

Nakuru, Kenya: Five form four students from Nambale High school in Western Province have died after the vehicle they were traveling in was involved in a road accident along Nakuru-Kabarnet road.

Twenty four others, four teachers and the driver escaped death narrowly and were rushed to Mogotio health Centre and Nakuru Provincial General Hospital for treatment.

Four students died on the spot while another one died on way to hospital.

The school bus hit a lorry heading the same direction before hitting a tree by the roadside at Kimose area in Mogotio, Baringo County.

Speaking on phone from Nambale, the principal Solomon Sisuma said the ill-fated vehicle had 34 people on board and was heading to Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo for a geography education tour when the accident occurred.

He said the bus left the school on Wednesday and was expected back today.

Eight students were rushed to Mogotio health center while four who were in critical condition were taken to Nakuru Provincial General Hospital.

Speaking in hospital, one of the candidates Micheal Wena who sustained cuts on the face and on the left hand said he was in a group of students seated behind.

Although eye witnesses blamed the driver of the bus for speeding, students said the lorry driver blocked the road forcing their vehicle to hit a tree on the right side of the road.

“Although I managed to jump out of the vehicle soon it came to a stop, several of my friends did not manage because they were trapped in the seats,” explained the student.

At the scene of the accident, books, pencils, uniforms, bags, bottles of soda and loaves of bread soaked in human blood littered the place.

A salesman in the lorry only identified as John said they were from Nakuru town to distribute tissue papers in Kabarnet and Kabartonjo town.

“The bus was attempting to overtake only to hit us from behind causing our vehicle to overturn”, he said.

A team of Red Cross staff arrived at the scene and assisted the injured to get to hospital.

The accident occurred at the time when Ministry of Education has issued a ban on tuition in all public schools.