Two students were killed and 29 others injured after a bus carrying mourners overturned in the Boya area along the Kisumu-Awasi road on Friday afternoon.
The bus was ferrying students from the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) to the funeral of their former student leader, Elvis Otieno, popularly known as ‘Beast’, at his home in Awasi, Kisumu County.
According to a police report, the bus was attempting to overtake another vehicle when the driver lost control, causing it to veer off the road and overturn.
The deceased were identified as Evans Odiwuor, 22, who died at the scene, and Roony Owen Odhiambo, 23, who died upon arrival at Lisa Hospital.
The bodies were moved to Ahero Sub-County Mortuary and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, where they are awaiting autopsy.
Fifteen students who sustained injuries in the accident are receiving treatment at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, while 14 others who were treated at Lisa Hospital have since been discharged.
One injured student was referred to Aga Khan Hospital High Dependency Unit (HDU) for further treatment.
The police report listed injuries sustained by the passengers as cuts, bruises, head and body pains, and a deep cut to the pelvic area. One female passenger was reported to be unconscious.
In a statement issued following the accident, TUM confirmed the deaths of two of its students and said the university was closely monitoring the condition of those injured.
The institution said the families of the deceased students had been informed and were making arrangements to collect the bodies for transfer to the nearest mortuaries.
The funeral of the former student leader was scheduled for Saturday, August 8.
Mombasa County Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir said in a statement issued on August 7 that the county government had received reports of the accident involving one of five buses that had departed from Mombasa carrying mourners to the funeral.
Governor Nassir urged the TUM fraternity and the public to remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation as authorities worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident and confirm the identities and conditions of those involved.
By Sarah Cindy
