A bus travelling from Isiolo to the Tobongu Lore cultural festival in Turkana County was involved in a serious accident on the steep Kamatira escarpment in West Pokot, a longstanding road blackspot known for fatal crashes.
Witnesses reported that the vehicle, registered to Ngaremara School was carrying passengers en route to the annual event graced by President William Ruto celebrating the Turkana heritage, suffered brake failure while descending the dangerous stretch.
The bus flipped on its side, leaving several people injured.
Emergency services from West Pokot County rushed the victims to Kapenguria Referral Hospital, where medical staff treated a range of injuries.
Luckily, no fatalities were reported, but the crash adds to mounting concerns over road safety during the festive season.
The government has urged drivers to exercise extreme caution on highways, particularly in hazardous areas like escarpments where overloading and mechanical failures often prove deadly.
This accident comes amid a grim December on Kenyan roads. In just the first 16 days of the month, more than 40 lives have been lost in various crashes across the country, according to official figures and police reports.
The surge coincides with increased travel as families reunite and attend events such as the Tobongu Lore festival, now in its ninth edition and drawing thousands to Lodwar.
The Kamatira section has long been criticised for its sharp bends and steep gradients, with locals and motorists repeatedly calling for redesign and safety improvements.
