Hunt on for bus driver in Mau Summit crash that claimed 15 lives
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has launched a manhunt for a driver who fled after the bus he was driving collided with a matatu, leading to the death of 15 people on Tuesday, January 9, morning.
The accident occurred at the Twin Bridge area of Mau Summit along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway.
According to Kuresoi North sub-county police boss Judah Gathenge, the bus driver belonging to Classic Kings of Congo fled the accident scene immediately.
“The driver of the bus fled after the accident and we have launched a manhunt for him. We want him to shed light on what transpired before the accident,” said Mr Gathenge.
On their part, NTSA said in a statement on Tuesday evening that it was working with the police to track down the driver and ensure that he is brought to justice.
“The driver of the bus is currently at large, and all efforts are ongoing to apprehend him. An investigation has commenced to establish the full circumstances leading to this crash to inform prosecution and recommendations,” said NTSA.
According to NTSA, the accident was caused by lane indiscipline and dangerous overtaking by the bus driver before it collided with an 11-seater Northways matatu that claimed all the occupants.
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The police boss said that eight of the dead were adults, while seven were children aged between one and 15 years.
“Seven other passengers were injured; including five foreigners and two Kenyans. While 38 escaped with minor injuries,” he added.
The Nairobi-Nakuru-Eldoret highway, which is expected to be expanded, has claimed several lives and left many others nursing injuries. In the past three months alone, at least 30 people have been killed in separate road crashes along the road.
NTSA and the traffic police department are under public scrutiny following the rise in the number of road accidents along the highway.
Latest data from the NTSA shows that as of January 7, 508 road accident victims were reported, with the majority categorised as seriously injured (234), followed by slightly injured (190), and fatalities (84).
Among the 84 fatalities, pedestrians were the most affected, followed by motorcyclists, passengers, drivers, pillion passengers, and pedal cyclists.