"Ililose control": Eyewitness recalls terrific Makueni crash that left 7 dead
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- A matatu carrying passengers to a traditional family celebration in Kalewani plunged off the road and crashed onto rocks in Makueni County
- Seven people, six men and one woman, died at the scene while over 30 others were rushed to two hospitals for treatment
- Eyewitnesses described how cries from a child at the front of the vehicle drew locals to the crash site along a steep, riverine stretch of road
Seven people lost their lives on the evening of the accident when a matatu carrying passengers to a family celebration in Kalewani, Makueni County, veered off the road and plunged down a steep slope, coming to rest against rocks near a river.
The victims, comprising six men and one woman, were among a group travelling from Mbongoni in Kibwezi to attend a traditional family ceremony.
Tragically, the vehicle lost control just three kilometres short of their destination, turning what was meant to be a joyful occasion into a scene of devastating loss.
46-seater matatu deviates from main road in Makueni
According to eyewitnesses, the 46-seater matatu deviated from the main road and descended approximately 400 metres before crashing.
The sloped terrain meant the vehicle gathered momentum quickly before plunging into the area near the river.
"Just a few metres from the diversion, the vehicle lost control. According to information we received from eyewitnesses, it lost direction, and because the terrain is sloped, it went down and plunged into an area near the river," a local official said.
Community member speaks about child's cries
One community member who rushed to the scene described how a child's cries alerted nearby residents.
"The driver and one child were at the front. The child was crying and making loud noises. When people heard the cries, they all came together to help. I was one of them. Some of the people had already died, but the survivors were taken to hospital," he said.
Makueni County Referral Hospital official speaks
The injured were distributed between two facilities. Makueni County Referral Hospital received 41 survivors, while Matiliku Sub-County Hospital admitted 28 others.
"There was a family celebration in this area. They were coming with their daughter, along with people from Mbongoni in Kibwezi. The accident happened after the vehicle left the main road and descended for about 400 metres. It eventually crashed onto rocks, injuring about 30 people and, unfortunately, killing seven," a hospital official said.
Medical teams at both facilities were attending to the injured as authorities worked to establish the full circumstances of the crash.
Toyota Sienta carrying seven people plunges into ditch
In another story, TUKO.co.ke also highlighted about a devastating accident involving a Toyota Sienta that veered off the Embu-Meru Highway, resulting in four fatalities and multiple injuries.
Witness accounts detail the chaotic scene as mourners en route to a burial faced tragedy, raising concerns over safety on this frequently treacherous route.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.