NAIROBI: Tragedy struck western Kenya as the death toll from a horrific road crash rose to 52 on Saturday, leaving the nation in mourning. The accident, one of the deadliest traffic incidents in recent years, occurred when a truck carrying a shipping container lost control and collided with multiple vehicles and pedestrians at a busy roadside junction on Friday evening.
Erick Mutai, the governor of Kericho county where the tragedy unfolded, provided an updated death toll of 52, comprising 31 men, 18 women, and two children. Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, who visited the crash site at Londiani junction, expressed deep grief over the “terrible” and “painful” accident and announced plans to implement new safety measures.
“Investigations have been launched to establish the cause of this accident, but we urge drivers to be cautious and follow the rules,” Murkomen told reporters during his visit. He later confirmed in a statement that 32 people had also been injured in the incident and revealed that the truck involved was registered in Rwanda.
The catastrophic crash wreaked havoc as the trailer plowed into private cars, minibuses, motorcycle taxis, and market stalls along a busy highway connecting the lakeside town of Nakuru to Kericho, an area known for its lush tea plantations. Disturbing footage captured the mangled wreckage of numerous vehicles while rescuers toiled in the darkness and rain, with ambulance sirens echoing through the night.
Witnesses recounted the harrowing events, with Joel Rotich stating, “The accident happened in a flash, many of them had no time to escape. There was a lot of confusion because people were screaming all over, and everyone was running after the accident.”
Leaders of Kenya Extends Condolences to Victims’ Families
Leaders of Kenya, including President William Ruto, extended their condolences to the victims’ families, joined by African Union Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat. The tragic incident garnered significant attention on social media, with the hashtag #Londiani trending, as people posted somber images of lit candles alongside the junction’s name.
In response to the disaster, the Kenya Red Cross launched a blood donation drive to assist the injured survivors. Murkomen outlined the government’s plans to relocate street traders from roadside areas to designated market zones to avert such calamities in the future. Additionally, he proposed implementing increased safety measures at the accident site, including speed bumps and cameras, and called on long-distance truck drivers to prioritize proper rest and undergo refresher courses.
According to data from Kenya’s National Transport and Safety Authority, last year alone, approximately 21,760 people were involved in road accidents, resulting in 4,690 fatalities. The country has experienced devastating crashes in the past, with 34 people losing their lives when a bus plunged into a river in central Kenya in July, and a bus crash in Kericho county claiming 50 lives in October 2018.
In his address last December, Murkomen attributed much of the road carnage to human error, citing drunk driving, speeding, fatigue, and dangerous overtaking as contributing factors. The World Health Organization noted in September the highest road traffic fatality rate in the world in Africa, with more than 800 people killed every day due to road accidents.
