Four Dead, Two Critically Injured In Mombasa Accident

The accident, involving a matatu and a truck, occurred at Jomvu area in Mombasa County.

According to the police, the matatu, which was heading to Mazeras, hit a stationary truck killing the four on the spot. Among those killed in the early morning accident is the matatu conductor.

Police have now launched a manhunt for the matatu driver who fled the scene soon after the accident.

The accident comes at a time when the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has tightened traffic rules to address road carnage.

Mid January, the country celebrated a 311 reduction in number of fatalities in road accidents in 2014 compared to 2013.

In a celebration that included lighting of candles to commemorate the 2,907 lives lost in 2014, transport stakeholders attributed this reduction to multi-faceted interventions they have so far taken.

In 2013, 3,318 people died in road accidents. In 2014 deaths of pedestrians topped the list with 1,340 reported deaths followed by passengers at 642 deaths. 391 motorcyclists and 268 drivers were also killed in the same year.

By Wangui Ngechu