By Peter Ochieng
Several people are feared dead, after a bus they had boarded plunged into Mbagathi river.
The accident happened in Gataka area, which borders Kenya’s Capital Nairobi, and Kajiado North, Kajiado county.
Reports indicate that at least eight people have so far been confirmed dead.
The accident occurred after the driver of the bus belonging to Naboka Sacco, lost control, veered off the road and into the river, near Cooperative University.
The driver is reportedly among the dead. The bus was heading to Nairobi from Gataka.
Several people were rescued and rushed to nearby hospitals.
In April, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) revealed that at least 1,189 people had died in road accidents since January, 2024. The number was higher by 60 deaths compared to the same period in 2023.
The data released on April 1, showed that 7,189 people had been involved in road traffic accidents, 1,908 more than the number of accidents within the same period in 2023.
“Since January 1, at least 7,189 Kenyans have been involved in road accidents. This marks an increase of 1,908 compared to the year 2023. At least 3,316 were seriously injured, and 2,693 sustained minor injuries,” NTSA shared.
In 2024, at least 98 drivers lost their lives in the period between January 1, 2024, and April 1.
It is decrease from the 108 driver deaths recorded within the same period in 2023. 102 pillion passengers died between January 1, 2024, and April 1, 2024.
In 2023, the number of deaths for pillion passengers stood at 105 within the same period, while 22 pedal cyclists died in accidents between January 1, 2024, and April 1.
In 2023, 20 pedal cyclist deaths were recorded within the same period.