An accident victim from Kenyatta University (KU) has described the events of the March 18 incident, during which a KU school bus, on a sch...
An accident victim from Kenyatta University (KU) has described the events of the March 18 incident, during which a KU school bus, on a school trip, collided with a trailer at Maungu along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway. Sadly, 11 students lost their lives, and 21 students and staff were seriously injured, with four sustaining minor injuries.
The student remembered that the bus driver attempted to overtake, but there was an oncoming trailer. When the driver swerved to avoid a head-on collision, the trailer ended up hitting the bus from the middle to the back.
“We traveled smoothly from Nairobi, but upon reaching Voi, the driver attempted a reckless overtake, leading to a dangerous situation as an incoming trailer approached head-on. In an effort to avoid a collision, the driver swerved, but unfortunately, the trailer collided with the bus.”
Fredrick Onyango told The Nation.
The school bus was carrying students from the Department of Health Management and Informatics.
Kenyatta University Bus Accident
The Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics, Prof. Waceke Wanjohi visited the students and staff admitted at the Moi County Referral Hospital in Voi.
By Tuesday evening, seven of the critically injured were airlifted by the Flying Doctors (Amref) to Avenue Hospital in Parklands for further treatment.
Amref’s Chief Medical Director Joseph Lelo mentioned that most students suffered trauma, multiple fractures, and spinal injuries.
He said, “We’ve received the first aircraft bringing three of the most critically injured patients from yesterday’s accident. They’ve been rushed to the hospital, and we’re expecting the second group soon.”
The university announced that the deceased will be transferred to the Kenyatta University Funeral Home.
Government Statement
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, revealed that the ill-fated bus was one of two KU buses headed to Coast for an academic trip. And the first bus arrived safely.
He said, “Two buses had departed from the university for an academic trip at the Coast; one bus arrived safely, while the other was involved in a collision with a heavy truck around 6 pm near Maungu area, Taita Taveta County,”
Mwaura stated that after the accident, the second bus was recalled to the institution and the trip canceled.
He stated, “The planned trip has been cancelled and the students who had arrived for the trip have been recalled to the institution in a show of solidarity with the affected comrades.”
Mwaura also mentioned that the government, along with the Ministry of Education, is working closely with KU officials to offer counseling and support to students affected by the tragic accident.
A help desk has been set up at KU to assist those seeking information about their relatives on the ill-fated bus. Relatives are already arriving, seeking information about their loved ones.
Learning Suspended
Learning at Kenyatta University was suspended for three days to allow the school to mourn the deaths of its students. Prof Wanjohi announced postponement of lessons.
“Following the unprecedented tragedy, the university management has decided to suspend all classes for three days to enable us mourn our beloved students,”
Professor Wanjohi announced in a statement sent to newsrooms.
By Vivian K.
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