34 injured in city crash after two buses collide in Nairobi

More than 30 passengers were seriously injured after two buses collided at the junction of Pangani Police Station in Nairobi yesterday.

According to witnesses and police, one bus was speeding from the central business district while the other one was coming from Eastleigh estate.

Police said 34 passengers were left with multiple injuries in the dawn accident.

Pangani head of traffic Jeniffer Mutuku said the 5a.m. accident happened because none of the drivers wanted to give way for the other.

"Both drivers were speeding and despite there being traffic lights at the junction, none of them wanted to follow the rules. We will take the necessary action," said Ms Mutuku.

 Loud bang

Those injured were rushed to various hospitals in the area while the wreckage of the buses were towed to the Pangani Police Station.

Police said the drivers of the two buses are among those injured.

Passengers' belongings including shoes, clothes and foodstuffs were strewn allover the scene as five ambulances that arrived immediately rushed the injured to hospital.

A Police officer at Pangani Police station in Nairobi County collects belongings of dawn road accident road accident victims that involved a Matatu and mini bus at the junction of Juja Road and Ring road in Nairobi. Police said over twenty passengers were injured. (PHOTO: ANDREW KILONZI/STANDARD)

Police said they have launched investigations into the accident.

Witnesses said they heard a loud bang and screams from the passengers, after which they rushed to rwescue them.

"The injured had multiple injuries and were headed to run various errands when the accident happened. I blame the drivers for the accident," said a witness.

Most of the passengers were small scale traders who had gone for early shopping.