Panic gripped Bomet County on the evening of Sunday, August 3, after a school bus carrying students overturned along the Bomet-Kaplong Highway while the learners were travelling from Nairobi to attend the annual music festival.
According to preliminary reports, the bus lost control before overturning and landing on its side. No other vehicle was involved in the accident. The exact cause of the crash had not been established by the time of reporting, and authorities are expected to investigate what led to the incident.
The accident left students trapped inside the bus after the main doors became blocked. With help from members of the public who quickly arrived at the scene, the learners were safely evacuated through the emergency exit. Bystanders worked together with first responders to ensure everyone was removed from the damaged bus as quickly as possible.
Emergency teams assessed the injured students at the scene before arranging for them to be taken to Kaplong Mission Hospital for further treatment. Reports from the scene indicated that six students suffered injuries during the accident. Fortunately, all of them were reported to be in stable condition while receiving medical care.
Images from the scene showed the bus lying on its side beside the road, highlighting the impact of the crash. The incident caused concern among parents, teachers and residents, especially because the students were travelling for an important national school event.
The Bomet-Kaplong Highway has experienced several road accidents over the years, making it one of the roads that has raised concerns among motorists and local residents. Many have continued to call for greater caution from drivers and stronger road safety measures to help reduce accidents along the route.
In May this year, another fatal accident was reported along the same highway at Meja-Chepkosa. The crash involved a double-cabin pickup and a motorcycle, resulting in casualties and renewing concerns about safety on the busy road.
The latest accident also comes just days after another tragic road crash involving students. On July 30, three students were among six people who died after a collision involving a private van, a trailer and a 14-seater matatu at Lessos Junction along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway. Several other passengers were injured and taken to Burnt Forest Hospital and Plateau Hospital for treatment.
Earlier, on July 28, at least 13 students were injured after two school buses carrying 101 pupils were involved in an accident in the Riting area of West Pokot County.
The latest incident in Bomet has once again drawn attention to the importance of road safety, particularly during periods when students travel long distances for school activities and competitions. Authorities are expected to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash while the injured students recover.
