Nairobi News

A traffic rule barring sugarcane tractors against operating on the roads before 6am has come under scrutiny following an accident which claimed three lives in Homa Bay County on Friday.

Three people died in the accident involving a matatu and a sugarcane tractor. The accident happened between Mirogi trading centre and Ndhiwa.

According to Homa Bay police commander Marius Tum, the matatu rammed the tractor belonging to Sukari Industries as it tried to overtake it.

“The three died on the spot as the matatu tried to overtake the sugarcane tractor,” said Mr Tum.

Mr Tum could not immediately confirm if the tractor had gone against the traffic rule but said an investigation had been launched into the accident that happened moments after 6am.

“We are engaging the sugar company to investigate if the tractor could have been operating at odd hours,” he said, adding that the bodies were taken to Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.

SPEEDING

Those injured were taken to Ndhiwa Sub-County Hospital and Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Mr Gordon Kouma, a witness, claimed the matatu was speeding before it got involved in the accident.

“We heard an explosion after the matatu rammed the tractor,” said Mr Kouma.

The sugar company could not be reached for comment on the accident.

Recently, there have been accidents in the region with tractors accused of routinely flouting rules on sugarcane transportation. Residents of Ndhiwa said the tractor drivers were mostly to blame for the increased accidents.

Mr Jacob Odero, a resident, said some of the tractors lacked headlights.

“The tractors are a law on to themselves. They operate both day and night with faulty lights and mechanical problems,” he said.

In 2015, Homa Bay County nominated MCA and acting ODM chair Monica Amolo died after her vehicle rammed a sugarcane tractor in the evening.