Five perish, 13 injured in Kipsoen road accident

Wreckage of the ill-fated matatu that was involved in an accident at Kipsoen area along Bomet-Narok highway. [Gilbert Kimutai/Standard]

Five people, including two children, died in an accident at Kipsoen on the Bomet-Narok highway yesterday.

Thirteen others were seriously injured in the early morning crash.

One person died on the spot while four others succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at Longisa County Referral Hospital in Bomet East.

The victims were travelling in a 14-seater matatu belonging to Egesa Shuttles that plies the Kisii-Nairobi route.

Witnesses said the driver of the ill-fated vehicle was trying to avoid a head-on collision with another vehicle when he lost control and veered off the road.

“The matatu was overtaking and there was an oncoming vehicle. To avoid a head-on collision he swerved into the next lane. The vehicle veered off the road and rolled,” said an eye witnesses at the scene.

Bomet Central sub-county Police Commander Musa Omari said the driver was among those injured but is in stable condition.

Omari said police are waiting for the driver to be discharged so that he can record a statement on the accident.

“We are waiting for the driver to recover so that he can record a statement with police and help with investigations,” said Mr Omari.

Quick response

He said two of those injured were referred to Tenwek Mission Hospital for specialised treatment.

Omari thanked the public for responding and helping the victims at the scene.

He said had it not been for the quick response from the public many people would have succumbed to their injuries.

He told drivers plying the road to observe traffic rules and avoid speeding.