Nothing could have prepared the pupils of St Gabriel Primary School in Mwingi, Kitui County, for the tragedy that befell them after a successful trip to Mombasa. At least 10 pupils died when their bus was involved in an accident at Kanginga, along the Mwingi-Garissa road on Saturday night.

The pupils, who had been escorted by three teachers and their matron, had completed their four-day educational tour and were on their way back home when tragedy struck. The accident happened just three kilometers from Mwingi town, their destination. They were in a bus belonging to Nguutani Secondary School. The section of the road where the 11pm accident happened is steep, narrow and has a sharp bend. A lorry coming from the opposite direction went out of control and collided with the bus, ripping off the side. The bus rolled and landed on the side in Kanginga River.