21 Killed After Bus Overturns on Kisumu-Kakamega Road

At least 21 people are feared dead after the bus they were in overturned at the Coptic Roundabout on the Kisumu-Kakamega Road.
In the tragic accident, which was confirmed by Nyanza Regional Traffic Commander Peter Maina, the casualties were believed to be mourners returning from a funeral on Friday, August 8.
While the exact cause of the accident remains unclear, preliminary reports indicated that the driver lost control before the bus veered off the highway and overturned.
Images obtained byKenyans.co.keshowed the mangled wreck of the bus, belonging to a local high school, with others showing local milling around the scene of the accident.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as passengers were thrown out of the vehicle upon impact.
Aside from the casualties, it is believed five others are in critical condition with 15 nursing injuries. The bus was reportedly coming from a burial in Nyahera, Kisumu County.
Coptic roundabout, the scene of the accident, is known to be a serious blackspot with numerous accidents occurring in the area. Locals have in the past blamed the high number of crashes to poor road design, lack of proper and clear signage, and reckless driving.
Common accidents involve buses or trucks overturning as the steep nature of the road poses a significant challenge to drivers of such heavy commercial vehicles while in transit.
Most have lamented that the road design is a major reason why crashes in this area are common, citing the descent from Riat Hills that leads to the roundabout as why most drivers lose control.
This year, three accidents have already occurred at the roundabout, which is located near Riat Hills on the dual carriageway that connects Kisumu and Vihiga counties.
OnJuly 15, there was an accident involving a bus belonging to Uzima University, which was carrying students and members of staff who were going on an academic trip. The vehicle overturned killing a worker and injuring 46 others. The driver is said to have lost control of the vehicle while trying to navigate the Coptic roundabout, the car veered off the road and landed into a ditch.
Barely two weeks earlier, on July 3,three people died while five others were taken to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in critical condition after a lorry heading to Kisumu from Vihiga overturned at the roundabout.
In April, an Easy Coach bus ferrying passengers had an accident at the same place, leading to the demise of a high school student and leaving several others nursing injuries.
More to Follow…