Families of those who perished in a horrific road accident on the Kisumu-Kakamega highway at River Yala’s Iguhu Bridge are still reeling from the shock of their loss.
Since the tragic accident on November 13,2024 Wednesday evening, at around 6 PM, families have been thronging the Kakamega County mortuary, hoping to identify the bodies of their loved ones.
In addition to the sorrow of identifying the dead, many have also been visiting hospitals where the injured are being treated, offering support and prayers to those recovering from the harrowing incident.
The crash, which has left the community devastated, resulted in the deaths of 10 people, while 20 others sustained injuries, some of them critically.
According to a report from the Western Regional Traffic Enforcement Office, the accident occurred when a Mercedes Benz tanker lost control and crashed into two 14-seater matatus, which were traveling in the opposite direction.
The crash has sparked an outpouring of grief from relatives, friends, and the larger Kakamega community.
Among the mourners was Dina Amimo, a mother who lost her son in the crash.
Her 22-year-old son, Victor, had been traveling home to Mbale in Vihiga County after spending time in Kakamega.
Dina recalled the last conversation she had with Victor earlier that afternoon, when he had told her he was nearing his destination.
“I called my son at around 5 PM,” Dina narrates
“He told me he was past Kakamega town and was on his way home.” Her voice trembled as she recalled the last words from her son. “He was so excited to be going back home for the weekend,” she added, pausing to wipe away tears.
Victor, who was a student at Kongoni Technical and Vocational Training College in Likuyani, had been passionate about dance.
“I had just watched clips of him performing at college,” Dina said, her voice breaking. “He was so talented. This was supposed to be a joyous weekend for him, but instead, I am now here, identifying his lifeless body.”
Victor’s tragic death has left the family in deep mourning. Dina described him as a bright young man with so much promise.
“I just can’t believe he’s gone. It’s painful beyond words,” she said, struggling to come to terms with the loss.
The anguish of loss was also evident in the story of Esther Masinde, whose husband was the driver of one of the ill-fated matatus.
Esther, whose face was etched with sorrow, recounted how her husband, a loving father of three, had left home that morning with plans to return in the evening.
Instead, she received the heartbreaking news that he had been involved in the fatal crash.
“My husband was the breadwinner, and now our family is devastated,” Esther said, her voice quivering.
He was just doing his job, driving people home. But now he is gone, and we are left to pick up the pieces.” Esther, like many others, continues to struggle with the reality of the loss, as the family comes to terms with the untimely death of their loved one.
According to the police, the Mercedes Benz tanker (registration number KAS 537W/ZC 6451) was traveling from Kisumu to Kakamega when the driver lost control after hitting a bump on the road.
The vehicle veered off the highway and collided with the two matatus traveling in the opposite direction. The force of the impact was so severe that it instantly claimed the lives of 10 people, while 20 others were injured.
Reports indicate that the driver of the tanker fled the scene immediately after the accident, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Police have launched a manhunt for the fugitive driver, who is now being sought for questioning and potential charges. The authorities have urged anyone with information on the whereabouts of the driver to come forward.
Scores of those injured in the accident are currently receiving treatment at Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital, Iguhu Hospital, and Mukumu Mission Hospital.
Many of the injured are in critical condition, and medical staff have been working around the clock to provide urgent care. Emergency medical teams, mobilized by the county government, were quick to respond to the scene and transfer the injured to the nearest health facilities.
In the midst of this crisis, a sense of community support has emerged, with neighbors, friends, and local leaders offering condolences and assisting in any way they can.
Kakamega County Governor, Fernandez Barasa, visited the hospital and expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the families affected by the tragedy.
“My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones,” Governor Barasa said.
“I urge the residents of Kakamega to come together in this time of sorrow and support one another.”
National leaders also weighed in on the tragedy, with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi sending a message of condolence to the families of those who lost their lives.
“In this time of profound grief, I pray that the Lord grants them comfort and strength.
To those who have been injured, I wish them a swift and full recovery,” Mudavadi said.
He also took the opportunity to call for greater caution on the roads as the festive season approaches, urging all road users to be vigilant in order to prevent such accidents in the future.
As the families of the deceased continue to mourn their loved ones, the entire Kakamega community stands united in grief.
The tragic accident has shaken the region, highlighting the pressing need for improved road safety measures and better enforcement of traffic regulations.
With the festive season fast approaching, local leaders are calling for heightened awareness and caution on the roads, urging drivers to exercise care and avoid recklessness.
In the meantime, the families of the victims are left to cope with the overwhelming grief of losing their loved ones in such a senseless and tragic manner.
As investigations continue and the manhunt for the tanker driver unfolds, many are hoping that justice will be served, and that the memory of those lost will inspire greater efforts to improve road safety across the country.
