Kenyatta University suspends classes to mourn Maungu accident victims
Nairobi
By
David Njaaga
| Mar 19, 2024
Paramedics attend to victims of Maungo accident in Voi at Wilson Airport, Nairobi. The victims were airlifted from Moi Referral Hospital to Avenue Hospital for specialised treatment. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]
Kenyatta University has suspended all classes for three days starting Wednesday, March 20, to mourn students who died in a road accident on Monday.
The accident occurred in Maungu, Voi, claiming 11 lives and critically injuring 11 others. Sixteen students survived with minor injuries.
According to the university's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Waceke Wanjohi, the suspension aims to provide a space for the university community to mourn the departed students.
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"Following this unprecedented tragedy, the university management has decided to suspend all classes for three days beginning Wednesday, March 20, 2024, to enable us to mourn our beloved students," said Prof. Waceke in an internal memo on Tuesday, March 19.
She said the university had set up a help desk to offer support and assistance during this challenging time.
The students and other staff members on board the bus on Monday were heading to Mombasa for an academic trip when the accident occurred.
On Tuesday, the University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Wainaina, visited the Moi County Referral Hospital in Voi to check on the status of the students and staff involved in the accident.
Air ambulances were at the Ikanga airstrip in Voi, where patients in critical conditions were moved to other facilities.
The injured students are currently being airlifted to Avenue Hospital in Parklands, while arrangements are being made to transport the remains of the deceased students to Kenyatta National Hospital Funeral Home along Thika Super Highway.