Overloaded Matatu Causes Fatal Accident in Machakos
MACHAKOS — A tragic road accident near Katangi, involving an overloaded matatu, resulted in the death of nine people, with several others injured, according to David Kiarie, Chairperson of the Road Safety Association of Kenya. The incident, which occurred on Monday, has sparked a call for immediate action against the rising menace of road accidents in the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, carrying 30 bags of charcoal in addition to passengers, was not only overloaded but had also had its speed governor tampered with. “The speed governor had been removed since February 2, something that the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) should have been aware of,” he stated. Kiarie criticized the police for failing to stop the vehicle from continuing its journey from Kitui to Machakos under such dangerous conditions, suggesting that the oversight by relevant authorities contributed to the fatalities.
In the wake of the accident, 35 individuals are receiving medical care at Machakos Level Five Hospital, as reported by the Machakos County Executive Committee Member for Health, Dr. Daniel Yumbya. The injured include a diverse group of patients: three children, 26 males, and six females. Yumbya highlighted the case of one patient who has been referred to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialized spinal injury treatment, while another has sought assistance from a private facility.
The response of medical personnel to this emergency was commended by Yumbya, who praised the team for their dedication and efforts to save lives. The hospital visit also included Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi, Kitui CECM for Health Ruth Koki, and other county officials, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the local government’s concern.
The accident occurred when the driver of the 42-seater matatu lost control, causing the vehicle to roll several times before coming to a halt in a ditch. This incident has reignited calls from the Road Safety Association of Kenya for the government to declare road carnage a national disaster, given the increasing frequency of such accidents.