Worst tragedies, accidents in 2018

Wreckage of the bus that was involved in a tragic accident in Fort Tenan, Kericho County along Kericho - Muhoroni Road on October 10,2018. Over 50 people died on the spot. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

As 2018 comes to an end, Kenyans will live to remember major accidents and tragedies that led to loss of many lives.

One of the most tragic accidents is the Home Boyz bus accident at Fort Ternan on Londiani-Muhoroni Road in Kericho County on October 10, 2018 that killed at least 56 people.

According to Fort Ternan residents, nearly 20 accidents have been reported on the black spot in the past one year. Many lives have been lost on the 15-kilometre stretch between Siret and Muhoroni.

Following the accident, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) revealed that the bus operated by Western Cross Roads SACCO had no licence to operate at night.

One of the survivors said the bus was overloaded and the crew disregarded traffic rules. "Some people were standing. We were about 70 people. And we could not complain because the crew was very arrogant. I could not have talked because they could have beat us up," he said.

Mr Shimanyula, the owner of the Home Boyz bus and Mr Ishindu, the Western Crossroads Sacco manager, were arrested after the morning crash that left 58 people dead and several others seriously injured.

The bus, which was heading to Kakamega from Nairobi, veered off the road and rolled several times. The Speed Governors and Road Safety Association reported that inspection of the wreckage showed it lacked a speed governor, which is a requirement for all public transport vehicles.

Patel Dam

Patel Dam tragedy in Solai, Nakuru County cannot be easily forgotten as it led to death of 47 people and many others were left homeless following extensive damage caused to homes, schools and businesses.

The dam burst its banks on Wednesday night of May 10, releasing water that swept across the neighbouring villages causing massive destruction of property and loss of lives.

Twenty children were among victims. Locals at Solai shopping centre talked of a huge explosion" before seeing a cloud of water move their way.

Property worth billions of shillings was destroyed as the wall of water washed away most structures in its way- within a three-kilometre radius.

Solai Boys' High School and Patel Day Secondary School were also been affected.

On July 5, 2018 Perry Mansukh Kansagara, owner of the dam was arrested by Naivasha police a day after Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Haji approved manslaughter charges against him.

Mansukh alongside another top manager of Patel farm Vinoj Jayakumar were arrested and taken to Naivasha DCI for questioning.

They were charged with manslaughter, neglect of official duty and failing to prepare an environmental impact assessment report.

Top officials of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Water Resources Management Authority (WRA) and Nakuru County Government officials were also charged in court over the Patel Dam tragedy.

The DPP had indicated that there was failure by owners of the dam, NEMA and Warma to ensure compliance to environmental compliance.