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Police commander Kilonzo Kivinda said the number of the passengers who were on board is still unknown.
• The bus is believed to have been transporting the elderly from Mumenje to Siakago for their usual Inua Jamii funds.
“The bus is said to have rolled from a bridge across the river,” Kivinda said.
The survivors were taken to Siakago Level 4 Hospital.
According to Eastern regional commissioner Isaiah Nakoru, the accident occurred after the overloaded 21 passenger mini-bus dropped plunged in the river after the driver failed to control it while it was reversing.
Nakoru said that the bus had already crossed the river when it ran out of fuel thus forcing the driver to stop over a few meters past the bridge to refuel.
Upon resuming the journey, the driver tried a failed ignition thus forcing him to reverse the bus to launch the start which failed.
Nakoru said the bus was overloaded with 61 passengers which was three times the bus capacity.
“The report we have says that eleven people have lost their lives. Nine under very critical condition. 41 people have also incurred minor injuries,” said Nakoru.
He added that persons in critical condition were transferred to Embu Level 5 hospital.
The Regional Commissioner ordered an immediate arrest for the bus owner and driver who escaped immediately after the accident.
He said the bus was ruled unworthy to operate on carriage business and thus was operating against the law despite the owner having the knowledge.
“We have lost people’s lives due to greed for money and we have to ensure we don’t witness such accident again,” he said.
“The bus was last inspected in 2020 and ruled unfit to operate,” he added.
He further said that security organs will tighten on the crackdown for road unroadworthy vehicles and motorcycles.
The Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi consoled the family of the deceased and wished quick recovery to those who suffered injuries.
In a statement Tuesday, the speaker wrote,” I wish to convey my deepest sympathies to their families and friends, and send my prayer for a quick recovery to those who have been injured,”.
The bodies of those who succumbed were ferried to Embu level 5 hospital mortuary.