A tragic road accident at Malaha Junction along the Webuye Kitale Highway in Bungoma County has left at least 14 people dead and several others injured, sending shock and grief through families and residents in the area.
The deadly crash happened on Monday night and involved a truck that rammed into multiple vehicles near the busy junction.
The collision involved a Public Service Vehicle and a boda boda, which were both caught in the impact when the truck reportedly lost control before slamming into them. The force of the crash triggered a chain collision that caused severe damage to the vehicles involved and left several victims lying on the road.
According to Western Region Traffic Police Commander Walter Cheboren, at least 10 people died as a result of the accident. Some of the victims died instantly at the scene due to the severity of the impact, while others sustained serious injuries and had to be rushed to nearby hospitals.
Witnesses who were present at the scene described a chaotic and emotional situation in the moments after the crash. They said the truck appeared to lose control as it approached the junction before crashing into the PSV and the motorcycle. The impact was so strong that it left wreckage scattered across the road and victims in desperate need of help.
Motorists and residents who arrived at the scene quickly attempted to assist the injured before emergency services arrived. Some helped pull survivors from the damaged vehicles while others tried to control the flow of traffic to avoid further accidents along the highway.
Images and videos that circulated widely online showed the matatu badly damaged, with parts of the vehicle crushed. Rescue teams and police officers were also seen working at the scene as they tried to assist victims and clear the wreckage from the road.
The injured victims were taken to hospitals in the Webuye area where they are currently receiving treatment. Medical teams have been attending to those who survived the crash, while families of the victims have begun the difficult process of identifying their loved ones.
Traffic police later moved in to clear the accident scene and restore movement along the busy highway, which had been disrupted following the collision.
Malaha Junction has long been considered a dangerous section of the Webuye Kitale road by motorists who regularly use the route. Many drivers have previously raised concerns about heavy traffic and high speed vehicles around the area.
Police have now launched investigations to determine the exact cause of the accident as authorities work to understand what led to the tragic loss of lives.