Panic as Mombasa-bound passenger collapses and dies

A passenger travelling to Mombasa yesterday collapsed and died during a stop-over at Mtito Andei.

According witnesses, the Mombasa-bound bus had made a stopover at Mtito Andei at around 2.30am.

The passenger alighted to use the bathroom in one of the hotels around, but did not make it back to the bus.

The man is said to have developed a cough before collapsing and dying, causing panic among the other passengers.

“After this incident, some passengers stayed away from the vehicle fearing the man might have died from coronavirus,” said Charles Mulei, a witness.

Makueni County public health officers later fumigated the bus.

Kibwezi police boss Ben Chagulo said the 30-year-old man was reported to have been coughing before he collapsed and died.

Makueni Health Executive Andrew Mulwa said samples from the victim's body were taken to Nairobi for testing.

County Commissioner Maalim Mohamed said contact details of all the passengers in the bus were recorded and they were all advised to go on a 14-day self-quarantine upon arriving at their destinations.

"We will continue monitoring them," said Maalim

The county commissioner warned people against spreading fake news on unconfirmed coronavirus cases, saying such misinformation was likely to cause fear and panic among Kenyans.

The bus proceeded to Mombasa later in the morning.

Elsewhere in Makueni, a nun who had travelled from Spain to Kilungu on March 14 has been traced and forced into self-quarantine.