Two people lost their lives on Wednesday morning following a grisly road accident at the busy Daraja Mbili market in Kisii County.
The crash, which occurred at around 8am, involved an oil truck, two small vehicles—a Toyota Prado and a Probox—and four motorcycles.
According to Kazungu Charo, the police commander of Kitutu Central subcounty, the accident happened when the truck transporting cooking oil lost control along the Kisii to Kisumu road and rammed into the other vehicles.
“The truck veered off the road and hit two vehicles. Sadly, we lost two Kenyans—a man and a woman—who were going about their daily business at the market,” Charo said while addressing reporters at the scene.
Charo added that four motorcycles were badly damaged in the crash and that eleven people sustained injuries. Most of the injured were rushed to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital for treatment, with three of them reported to be in critical condition.
“We are praying for their recovery so they can resume their roles in building the nation,” said Charo.
The police have launched a probe to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Charo urged traders, public transport operators and boda boda riders in the area to stop conducting business or parking on the roads.
“This is a high traffic area with no designated stages, yet you find motorcycles and matatus parked right on the road. We had carried out public sensitisation recently, and we continue to call for caution to prevent further loss of life,” he said.
Police struggled to control crowds that gathered at the scene, some attempting to siphon oil from the overturned truck. Officers from Nyanchwa police station fired tear gas and warning shots to disperse the crowd.
Kisii Deputy Governor Elijah Obebo visited the injured and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.
