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| The scene of the accident |
Nine people lost their lives after a fatal road accident early Friday, January 3 morning, along the Eldoret-Kitale Highway near Soy.
The accident occurred at around 7 am and involved a Great Rift Shuttle matatu and a lorry, which collided head-on, leaving the front of the matatu extensively damaged.
According to Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi who confirmed the incident, a matatu and a lorry were involved in a fatal collision when the driver of the lorry lost control and swerved into the path of a moving matatu.
"The matatu had 12 passengers, and only three children survived," Mwanthi said.
The driver of the matatu was among those who lost their lives in the incident.
The survivors sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
File image of the matatu involved in the accident
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the lorry ferrying pipes and heading to Kitale lost control and rammed into the oncoming matatu en route to Eldoret.
After the accident, several passengers were trapped in the wreckage prompting a rescue operation by emergency responders.
Photos seen by Daily Times KE showed a number of damaged vehicles, including the matatu and a private car with debris strewn on the road.
Police have since launched investigations into what caused the accident as the country witnesses the deadliest road tragedy so far this year.
"We are cautioning our people to be careful on the road and avoid speeding," the Police boss added.
The accident occurred on a narrow stretch of the highway near Soy Market, which was described by eyewitnesses as a black spot.
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