Several passengers narrowly escaped death on Thursday night after a truck transporting tea to Kapkatet Tea Factory lost control and collided with a matatu. The accident occurred at the Kaptolony area along the busy Kapkatet-Litein highway in Bureti Sub-county, Kericho County.
Eyewitnesses described how the truck, a canter, began swerving uncontrollably before it crashed into the matatu, which was carrying several passengers at the time. The force of the impact caused a temporary traffic jam, but fortunately, there were no fatalities reported from the incident.
Emergency response teams quickly arrived at the scene. Passengers who sustained minor injuries were swiftly taken to nearby hospitals, with some being rushed to Kapkatet Sub-County Hospital, while others were taken to Litein Mission Hospital for treatment. Their injuries were not life-threatening, and they are expected to recover fully.
Authorities from the local police force responded promptly to the incident and oversaw the clearance of the wreckage. Both the damaged truck and matatu were towed away to Litein Police Station yard, and normal traffic flow along the highway was restored after the vehicles were removed from the scene.
The accident has raised concerns among residents and local authorities regarding the safety of the road, which has recently witnessed a rise in accidents. Many have called for urgent improvements to road safety measures, including better signage, clearer road markings, and increased law enforcement presence to curb the rising number of accidents along this particular stretch of the highway.
The local community has been particularly vocal about the need for stricter regulations for heavy commercial vehicles, especially those that transport goods like tea, which are commonly seen along the Kapkatet-Litein highway. There are growing calls for more comprehensive training for drivers of such vehicles to prevent accidents caused by loss of control, such as the one that occurred on Thursday night.
Authorities have launched investigations into the incident to determine the exact cause of the truck’s loss of control. Preliminary reports suggest that the driver may have been unable to regain control of the vehicle after it began swerving, but this is still under investigation. The police have indicated that they will scrutinize the road conditions, the truck’s maintenance history, and the driver’s qualifications to ensure that all potential factors are considered in the inquiry.
As investigations continue, the public remains concerned about the safety of the Kapkatet-Litein highway, which has seen an uptick in accidents over the past few months. Road safety activists have emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to improving the highway’s safety. This includes investing in better road infrastructure, improving public awareness of traffic safety, and ensuring that all vehicles, especially commercial ones, are regularly inspected to meet safety standards.
In the meantime, local authorities have pledged to increase patrols and monitoring along the highway to deter reckless driving and ensure that the road remains safe for commuters. The community continues to advocate for long-term solutions that will prevent such accidents from happening again in the future, with many expressing hope that the investigations will lead to meaningful changes in road safety policies.
