Mwingi accident: 10 pupils dead, CS Amina deploys investigative team

Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed says she has deployed a team of officials to assess the fatal road crash that killed 10 pupils of St. Gabriel Academy in Mwingi, Kitui County on Saturday night.

The Education CS said the officials deployed to assess the situation are expected to forward to her a report detailing more about the accident.

“The Ministry has dispatched senior officials under the leadership of the Regional Coordinator for Education, Eastern Province to Mwingi Level IV Hospital to assess the situation and work with various government Agencies to ensure good healthcare for the survivors,” said Amb. Amina.

The CS was speaking at Kenyatta National Hospital where four critically injured pupils were transferred for specialised treatment.

“I wish to convey my sincere condolences to the families, relatives, friends and the school mates of the ten who perished in the fatal accident. I also wish quick recovery for the pupils, teachers and matron who are being treated at KNH and Mwingi Level Four Hospital,” said CS Amina.

Ambassador Amina said the bus, which was heading to Mwingi town from Mombasa, was carrying 44 passengers; three teachers, a matron and 40 pupils.

She noted that out of the 26 learners who were admitted at Mwingi Level 4 Hospital, 23 had been treated and discharged. One teacher and the driver of the bus are also admitted at the same hospital.

Kenyatta National Hospital’s head of communication Simon Ithae said they received four pupils, one of whom was transferred to the Nairobi Hospital on request by the parents.

Mr. Ithae added that while the remaining three were undergoing treatment, one of them passed on at around 8.30am.

The remaining two pupils are said to be in a stable condition.

Six learners had been dropped off to their homes before the accident.

The CS is set to issue a fresh update after receiving the assessment report on the accident.

Confirming the midnight accident, Kitui OCPD Muthuri Mwongera said the school bus was hit by the truck causing it (bus) to roll several times before plunging into a dry river bed.

The pupils were returning from a trip to Mombasa when their school bus collided with a truck at Kanginga bridge, about 1 Km from Mwingi town on the Thika-Garissa Road at around 11pm.

The driver of the truck has since been arrested and is set to be arraigned in court of Monday.