HOMA BAY, Kenya — A somber mood has engulfed Homa Bay County following a devastating road accident that claimed the lives of ten people on Sunday night. The collision occurred at approximately 8:00 p.m. near the Chabera Trading Center in Rachuonyo East.
The victims, identified as six women and four men—including the driver of the public service vehicle—died when their Nissan matatu collided head-on with a lorry. Six other passengers sustained severe injuries and are currently fighting for their lives.
According to Dennis Abong’o, the Assistant Chief of Kodumo East Sub-location, the tragedy was triggered when the lorry, which was traveling from Oyugis toward Katito, lost control. The heavy vehicle reportedly strayed from its lane into the path of the oncoming matatu, resulting in the high-impact collision.
The matatu was transporting members of a church from neighboring Nyamira County. The group was returning home from Kakamega County, where they had spent the weekend attending a wedding ceremony for members of their congregation.
Rachuonyo East Sub-county Police Commander Laban Omol confirmed the details of the incident, noting that the driver of the lorry fled the scene immediately after the crash and remains at large.
Also Read: Former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo dies in tragic road crash at Naivasha’s Karai black spot
The injured were rushed to the Rachuonyo South Sub-county Hospital in Oyugis Town for emergency medical treatment. Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased were moved to the same facility’s mortuary for preservation and identification.
In the wake of the accident, the police boss issued a stern warning to all road users.
“The police boss urged motorists to be careful on the road during the festive season to avoid similar accidents,” Omol was quoted as saying.
Both the wreckage of the matatu and the lorry have been towed to the Othoro Police Station as investigators work to establish the full circumstances of the crash and track down the missing driver.
