2 Killed After Lorry Plunges into River Along Bomet–Kaplong Highway

Two people were killed on the morning of Sunday, August 17, after the lorry they were traveling in plunged into a river along the Bomet–Kaplong highway.

The lorry, which was carrying three occupants, lost control and crashed into the Soiymet River, killing two people on the spot.

The lone survivor of the accident was rescued by emergency responders from the Kenya Red Cross and Bomet County Government and rushed to Kaplong Hospital for medical attention.

Photos of the accident seen by nairobileo.co.ke showed the lorry completely overturned with extensive damage to its front side.

Police officers were also deployed to the accident scene to retrieve the lorry from the river.

The Bomet accident comes at a time when the country is witnessing a surge in road accidents that have claimed several lives.

On Saturday, August 9, seven people were killed after a public service vehicle collided with a lorry at Korompoi Global Estate near Kitengela on the Namanga-Isinya Highway.

On Friday, August 8, 25 people died after the school bus they were travelling in overturned in Kisumu's Mamboleo area.

Nineteen people died on the spot, while six others succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.

The National Police Service (NPS) on August 11 announced a nationwide crackdown on Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and commercial vehicles following the surge in the road accidents.

In a statement, NPS said traffic police officers will monitor speeds, verify NTSA-issued licenses, conduct anti-drunk-driving operations, and remove unauthorized lights from vehicles.

The officers will also assess PSV Sacco compliance, remove unroadworthy vehicles, and check for overloading of goods and excess passengers.

“The National Police Service, alongside other stakeholders, continues to step up efforts through multi-pronged strategies, including speed monitoring of PSVs and commercial vehicles, enforcement against overloading of goods and excess passengers, cracking down on PSVs contravening licensed routes, conducting anti-drink-driving operations, removing unlawful lights on motor vehicles, verifying NTSA-issued licences, taking unroadworthy vehicles off the road, and assessing PSV Sacco compliance,” NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said.