Choir competition ends in tragedy for 8 children

BY JOEL OKWAYO

Kakamega County

Eight school children and a woman died after the pick-up truck they were travelling in rolled several times at Salala area along Kakamega-Mumias road. Eighteen others sustained serious injuries in the Monday night accident.

Police say the overloaded pick-up carrying 26 people rolled after the driver lost control while crossing River Sasala.

The children, aged between eight and 14 years, were travelling back home after taking part in a choir competition organised by the Episcopal Church of Africa in Ingotse, Kakamega Central District.

Kakamega OCPD, Joseph Omijah, said two children died on the spot, while another six died on arrival at the Kakamega Provincial General Hospital.

A doctor at Kakamega Provincial General Hospital attends to children who were involved in the accident at River Salala along Kakamega-Mumias road. [PHOTO: BENJAMIN SAKWA/STANDARD].

The hospital’s Medical Superintendent Daniel Alushula said the six could not be resuscitated, noting that they had sustained internal injuries and had bled excessively.

Critical condition

Dr Alushula said 18 other casualties are still admitted at the hospital in critical condition.

"We have treated those with fractured legs and arms, while those with abdominal injuries are undergoing examination in various wards," said Alushula, who was speaking at the hospital’s casuality ward.

He said some of the victims were admitted with facial injuries, and are still undergoing treatment.

"We have not discharged any victim as their conditions require constant medical check-up," said Alushula. The bodies of the deceased were moved to the hospital’s mortuary.

Omijah, however, said the driver of the pick-up would be required to record a statement after he is discharged from the hospital.

Mumias MP Ben Washiali, who visited the scene, called for a crackdown on careless drivers, since most accidents could be averted if drivers adhered to traffic regulations.

Road safety

He called on drivers to observe road safety rules, and urged the police to blacklist the area as a black spot. Washiali was travelling from Mumias after attending the Mumias Welfare Progressive Society meeting held at Booker Academy.

Bishop Zedekiah Chunge of the church was at the hospital with the victims and expressed deep shock.

"We had concluded the competitions well. I am deeply depressed after what has happened," said Chunge.