UN boss António Guterres- ‘I am saddened by Fort Tenan tragic bus crash

At least 56 people were killed in an accident on the Londiani-Muhoroni highway on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. /COURTESY

The United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has joined the list of leaders who have sent out their condolence messages to families of those bereaved by the tragic accident at Fort Ternan in Kericho County.

In a statement released by his spokesman Mr Stephane Dujarric, the UN Secretary General said that he is deeply saddened by the accident which claimed the lives of 55 people on wee hours of the dawn on Wednesday on the Londiani-Muhoroni road.

“The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to the bereaved families, the survivors and the government and people of Kenya,” Mr Dujarric said.

The fatal morning crash happened at 4.30am. Rescuers counted up to 48 bodies from the scene while several others who were critically injured have since been hospitalised.

Residents look at the wreckage of a bus that crashed near Fort Ternan along the Londiani-Muhoroni road in Kericho on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. /SONU TANU

By Wednesday evening, police in Kakamega had arrested Mr Cleophas Toto Shimanyula and Mr Benard Ishindu Shitiabayi, who are the owners of the bus which was ferrying passengers from Nairobi.

The duo were arrested for questioning and are expected to be transferred to Londiani.

Police also impounded vehicles belonging to Western Cross Roads Sacco which the ill-fated bus belonged to.

According to the National Transport and Safety Authority Director General Francis Meja, the owners of the bus will face prosecution since the vehicle was not licensed to operate at night.

Kenya Red Cross Society has set up an information desk at the Kericho County Referral Hospital to help relatives check whether their kin had survived the horror crash.Only 17 bodies have been identified as the death toll in the Fort Ternan accident rose to 56.

Kericho bus accident

In a statement, Kericho governor Paul Chepkwony said the survivors include one child, six women and nine men who are receiving treatment.

“Of the survivors, one has undergone surgery at the Kericho County Referral Hospital, one has been transferred to Kapkatet Hospital for a CT scan and the rest have been admitted to Kericho County Referral Hospital,” Chepkwony said.

He said the county government will meet the cost of treatment for all the survivors.

The governor said the county and the Kenya Red Cross Society have established an information desk and call centre at the Kericho Referral Hospital.”Those wishing to find out more information can contact 0715820219 or 0735680356 any time of the day and night for as long as the process of identification of bodies will take place,” the county boss said.

The Kericho County Referral Hospital has also set up a blood donation centre.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *