A journey to a family dowry ceremony ended in tragedy in Makueni after a minibus carrying about 50 people crashed, killing seven passengers and leaving 28 others injured.
The accident happened at around 6:30 pm on Friday, August 14, along the Kalamba-Kalembwani murram road in the Maumba area.
The passengers had travelled from Nthongoni in Kibwezi East and were headed to Ikangavya, where they were expected to attend a dowry payment ceremony and related celebrations.
The minibus, locally known as “Nidhamu”, was negotiating the hilly Kalembwani section when the driver reportedly lost control. The vehicle left the road and rolled several times down the steep hillside before coming to a stop.
The Kenya Red Cross said a multi-agency response team was sent to the scene following the accident, bringing together its responders, county disaster management officials and police officers.
“A matatu carrying an estimated 50 passengers from Ivingoni Ward to Kyathi lost control, veered off the road and rolled several times at Kalembwani, Makueni County,” the Kenya Red Cross said.
“Injured persons were evacuated to Makueni County Referral Hospital. Scene clearance ongoing,” it added.
Seven passengers died in the crash, including six men and one woman. Police had not established the identities of those who died as investigations into the accident continued.
Twenty-eight passengers survived but sustained injuries. Four of them suffered serious injuries and were taken to Wote County Hospital for specialised care, while 24 others with minor injuries were admitted to Matiliku Sub-County Hospital in stable condition.
Rescue teams had to remove some passengers who were trapped inside the damaged vehicle before transporting the injured to hospital.
The Makueni County Emergency Response Unit, Department of Health and Kenya Red Cross Makueni Branch deployed three ambulances and a County Emergency Land Cruiser to support the rescue operation.
Police officers also arrived at the scene, documented the crash and began investigations to establish the events leading to the accident.
The damaged minibus was left at the scene as plans were made to tow it away. The bodies of the seven victims were transported to Kilome Hospital mortuary, where they will remain pending postmortem examinations and identification.
The accident comes against a backdrop of continued road crashes, with authorities often linking accidents to speeding, dangerous overtaking and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Poor vehicle maintenance has also been identified as a risk, with worn tyres and defective brakes among the mechanical problems that can lead to crashes.
The National Transport and Safety Authority and the National Police Service have continued to call on motorists to follow traffic regulations, ensure vehicles are in good condition and exercise caution when using highways and other sections known to be prone to accidents.