Boda boda rider, passenger die in Bomet accident

A motorcyclist and his pillion passenger died in a grisly road accident in Bomet county Thursday.

The accident occurred after the rider collided head-on with a lorry while trying to overtake at Chebole trading centre.

The driver of the lorry escaped unhurt during the early morning incident along Sotik-Bomet highway.

Witnesses said the lorry ran over the rider and his passenger killing them on the spot.

"The rider switched lanes while attempting to overtake a private car and was run over by the lorry, killing the rider and his passenger on the spot," said the witness.

County disaster officers led by Stanley Mutai said the victims were long dead by the time they arrived at the scene.

The police removed the bodies to a nearby morgue.

Mutai said the lorry was headed towards Bomet from Kaplong when the accident occurred.

Bomet Central Sub-County Police Commander, Bashir Ali said investigations have been launched into the accident.

Ali raised concern over rising cases of fatal accidents involving boda boda riders in the area.

"We are concerned but hopeful that a recent sensitisation drive we carried out with NTSA will help bring the accidents down," he said.

The police boss asked motorists to exercise caution on the road.

He said many accidents are as a result of human error and can be avoided by riders and drivers if they observe traffic rules.

"Many of these incidents can be avoided. What our drivers and riders plying the various routes in Bomet need to do is stick to traffic rules and accidents will be a thing of the past," he said.

More than 13 people have died in road accidents in Bomet county in the last two months.