EARLY MORNING CRASH IN KENYA CLAIMED 13 LIVES

By Justus Ochieng’- Kisumu, KENYA

At least 13 people have been killed and several others injured when an Eldoret Express bus collided with a truck at Pala, about 3km from Awasi trading centre in Kisumu County.

The Eldoret Express bus was involved in a head-on-collision with a truck in Awasi, Kisumu County.

The crash occurred at about 11:30pm on Thursday night, according to witnesses.

Confirming the accident, Kisumu County Police Commander Benson Maweu said they had counted at least 13 bodies by 2:30am Friday.

"The bus was travelling from Kisumu towards Kericho on the Kisumu-Nairobi Highway when the driver tried to overtake a cane tractor and was involved in a head-on-collision with the truck," said Mr Maweu.

Nyanza regional police boss Vincent Makokha said of the 13 people who died, 12 were in the bus including a child. The other was the truck driver.

"The bodies of the deceased were taken to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital while survivors are also undergoing treatment at the facility," Mr Makokha said.

The injured were taken to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu for treatment

Emotions ran high as survivors of the night road accident recounted their ordeal to the media at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral Hospital.

Writhing in pain while on blood-stained beds, pieces of torn clothes, tears down their cheeks as they thanked God to have survived.

One of the survivors, Elizabeth Awino who was travelling to Nairobi from Bondo said she was lucky to have survived as nurses at the casualty ward attended to her various deep cut injuries.

"My God…You are great. I thank you," she mumbled as the nurses attended to her.

Bodies of the deceased have been moved to Ahero Sub-County Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.

The bus was towed to Awasi police station.