Police officers die, 11 detainees injured in Bomet accident

BOMET: Two police officers from Sotik, Bomet County died early Thursday afternoon after a police car they were traveling in was involved in a road accident.

The accident which happened along Kericho-Sotik road neat Daraja Sita five Kilometres from Sotik town left five police officers with serious injuries.

Confirming the incident Bomet Police Commander Lea Kithei said 11 remandees were also injured during the accident saying the injured officers are admitted in stable condition.

"Three officers injured during the accident have been transferred to Tenwek Mission Hospital in Bomet from Kapkatet in neighbouring Kericho where they had been taken for first aid," said Kithei.

Kithei said the two officers died on the spot after the police car which was ferrying remandees from Kericho to Sotik law courts rolled several times before landing in a ditch.

According to eyewitnesses at the scene, the police car which was being driven in a high speed was trying to overtake a lorry but on seeing an oncoming vehicle tried to avoid hitting and rolled.

"The police car tried to get back to its lane after seeing an oncoming vehicle but the driver lost control and it rolled before landing in a ditch,” he said.

The police boss said the remandees who were due to face charges at the law courts sustained injuries.

She said they were rushed to Kapkatet in Kericho where they are being treated.

She however allayed fears that the 11 remandees were out of danger and were responding to treatment.

"The 11 remandees are out of danger and we believe they will be well soon," she said.

The remandees who are facing various criminal charges at the Sotik law courts are receiving treatment under tight security.

The bodies of the two officers were taken to Kapkatet District mortuary awaiting post mortem.

The ill-fated police vehicle was towed to Sotik police station.