Death toll rises to 55 in Kericho bus accident

The number of people known to have died from the Wednesday morning bus accident in Kericho has risen to 55, according to police.

A support desk has also been set up at Kericho District hospital to assist relatives of the victims identify bodies.

At least 40 people died on the spot after a passenger bus christened Homeboyz was involved in a grisly accident at 4am on the Kisumu-Muhoroni highway at Fort Ternan area in Kericho.

More victims who had sustained serious injuries passed on while undergoing emergency treatment at various hospitals around Kericho.

Kericho County Police Commander James Mogera had initially indicated that the death toll was 50 — among them 31 men, 12 women and seven children.

Fort Ternan Police Station OCS Charles Ocharo said the bus was heading to Western Kenya from Nairobi when it veered off the road.

The bus was reportedly descending a slope when it hit a guard rail before plunging down a valley and rolling several several times.

Some of the survivors of the horrific accident were rushed to Fort Ternan dispensary and Muhoroni Sub County Hospital.

According to eye witnesses and survivors, the driver of the bus was speeding despite the road having sharps bends and poor signage.