At least five people lost their lives in a tragic accident involving a truck transporting maize from Sirare to Migori in Mabera, Migori County, on Sunday evening.

The fatal incident occurred at a notorious accident hotspot along the bridge linking Nyabohanse to Mabera when the overloaded truck lost control and rammed into two motorbikes. The devastating collision claimed the lives of five individuals on the spot, including a pedestrian standing nearby.

The impact of the crash was so severe that the victims’ bodies were hurled several meters from the scene. Among those killed were two female teachers riding on one motorbike, a motorcycle operator, and the pedestrian.

The truck driver, who sustained critical injuries, was rushed to a nearby hospital while unconscious. The deceased have since been moved to Migori County Hospital Mortuary, where post-mortem examinations will be conducted.

This accident adds to the rising toll of road fatalities in Kenya. According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), between January and November 2024, a staggering 4,282 lives were lost in road accidents. Pedestrians accounted for 1,637 fatalities, followed by motorcyclists (1,045), passengers (788), and drivers (369). Pillion passengers and cyclists also recorded 372 and 72 deaths, respectively.

The NTSA attributes many of these accidents to peak hours between 5 PM and 8 AM, particularly on weekends and public holidays. The agency continues to emphasize the need for stricter adherence to road safety regulations to curb such tragedies.