Written by Were Kelly
The death toll from Friday evening’s devastating bus accident along the Kisumu–Kakamega Highway has risen to 26, after one of the five critically injured passengers succumbed to injuries on Saturday morning.
Twenty-eight survivors remain in hospital in stable condition, with surgeries scheduled to be completed by Saturday afternoon, according to health officials. Post-mortem examinations on the deceased are expected to conclude by Monday.
The government has pledged to cover all medical costs for the injured and burial expenses for the victims. Families of the deceased — part of a 54-member group returning from a burial ceremony in Kisumu West — are mourning the sudden loss and calling for further support as they grapple with the tragedy.
The crash has left a deep wound in Kisumu County. Officials confirmed that the dead include 10 men, 10 women, and an eight-month-old baby. Survivors and relatives, many still in shock, have gathered at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) where the injured are receiving care.
“The loss is immense. These were parents, siblings, and friends, all part of our close-knit community,” said one relative, her voice breaking as she spoke outside the hospital.
The accident occurred at around 5:30 p.m. Friday when a school bus ferrying mourners from Nyahera to Nyakach overturned at the notorious Coptic blackspot. Witnesses said the bus appeared to lose control while navigating a bend, plunging into a ditch.
Nyanza Regional Traffic Commander Peter Maina confirmed that the driver “appeared to have lost control,” though the exact cause remains under investigation. The site is known locally as a danger zone, with multiple accidents reported there in recent years.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, transporting 20 survivors directly to JOOTRH, with five classified as critical. Despite best efforts, one of those critical patients succumbed to injuries on Saturday morning.
Health Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Olunga said medical staff have been working around the clock. “We mobilised all available personnel to ensure those injured receive the best possible care. Additional staff have been placed on standby to assist with surgeries today.”
President William Ruto extended condolences to the families and called on traffic authorities to take immediate action to enforce road safety measures. “We must hold negligent parties accountable and prevent such tragedies from happening again,” he said in a statement.
The government has committed to financing treatment for the injured and covering burial expenses, easing some of the financial strain on grieving families.
The Kisumu–Kakamega tragedy came less than 24 hours after another fatal crash on the Kitengela–Isinya Road claimed seven lives in a collision between a matatu and a lorry. Earlier in the week, eight people died in Naivasha after a bus collided with a train.
Road safety experts say Kenya is in the midst of a deadly trend. “We are seeing an alarming rise in fatal accidents, many in known blackspots where preventive measures have been delayed,” said transport analyst Charles Muriithi.
Locals and leaders alike are demanding immediate road upgrades, stricter enforcement of traffic rules, and improved driver training. Senatorial voices have joined the chorus, urging the Ministry of Transport and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to fast-track interventions.
“These losses are avoidable,” said Kisumu Senator Prof. Tom Ojienda. “We need proper signage, speed controls, and regular safety audits of public service vehicles.”
For families, the wait for post-mortem results and the return of their loved ones’ bodies is a painful process. Many have begun making funeral arrangements in their rural homes, supported by extended relatives and community members.
“It’s hard to believe they were just here with us yesterday,” said a mourner from Nyakach. “We want answers, but more than anything, we want this never to happen to another family.”
