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At least 25 people have died after a bus carrying mourners from a funeral overturned and plunged into a ditch in southwestern Kenya. The tragic accident happened in Kisumu County on Friday night, shocking the local community and reigniting calls for better road safety measures in the country.
According to police, the bus was traveling from Kakamega to Kisumu when the driver lost control as it approached a roundabout at high speed. Regional traffic enforcement officer Peter Maina said the vehicle veered off the road, rolled over, and landed in a ditch.
“Ten women, ten men, and a 10-year-old girl were among the dead,” Maina confirmed. “The scene was devastating.”
Emergency responders rushed the injured to nearby hospitals. Initially, 29 people were reported injured, but four of them later died while receiving treatment, bringing the death toll to 25.
Fredrick Ouma Oluga, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Medical Services, said hospitals in Kisumu mobilized quickly to handle the large number of casualties. “We did everything possible to save lives, but unfortunately, some of the injuries were too severe,” he said.
A Dangerous Road
Local media reported that the crash happened along a notorious stretch of road in Kisumu where accidents are common. Residents say poor road design, speeding, and reckless driving have contributed to repeated tragedies in the area.
The cause of this specific crash is still under investigation, but police suspect speeding played a major role. “We urge drivers to slow down, especially when approaching roundabouts and sharp bends,” Maina added.
Road Accidents on the Rise
This latest incident adds to a series of deadly transport accidents in Kenya in recent days. Just a day before the Kisumu crash, an air ambulance crashed in Nairobi, killing six people. On the same day, a train collided with a bus, leaving eight people dead.
In another unrelated accident on Thursday, nine people were killed in Naivasha, Nakuru County, when a bus carrying 32 workers crashed at a railway crossing.
The string of accidents has alarmed road safety advocates, who say urgent action is needed to improve Kenya’s transport safety.
Calls for Change
Road accidents are a persistent problem in Kenya and across East Africa. Many highways are narrow, poorly lit, and riddled with potholes. While authorities often blame drivers for speeding and reckless behavior, critics say the government must also invest in better road infrastructure, stricter vehicle inspections, and more effective traffic law enforcement.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) reports that thousands die on Kenyan roads each year, with many more suffering life-changing injuries. Despite public awareness campaigns, fatal crashes remain frequent, especially during holiday seasons and weekends when more people travel.
Families in Mourning
For the families involved, Friday night’s crash has brought unbearable grief. What began as a journey home after paying last respects to a loved one ended in tragedy.
At Kisumu’s Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, distraught relatives gathered to identify bodies and comfort survivors. Local leaders have promised support for the affected families, including medical assistance and help with funeral arrangements.
“We have lost so many lives in just a few days,” said one community elder. “Our roads are becoming death traps. We cannot keep burying our loved ones because of accidents that can be prevented.”
Authorities have appealed to all drivers to exercise caution, especially during the current rainy season, when roads are slippery and visibility is often poor.
As investigations continue into the Kisumu tragedy, many Kenyans are left asking the same question: How many more lives must be lost before meaningful change happens on the country’s roads?