On the Wundanyi-Mwatate route in Taita Taveta County's Josa region, 13 people died in a horrifying traffic tragedy.

The disaster occurred Saturday night after a bus carrying mourners headed to Mombasa from a burial in Mghambonyi overturned.

One who narrowly escaped death was Dominic Onyango, who was sent to several hospitals in Mwatate and Voi. 

He recalls that they took the first corner—second—when they arrived at Wundanyi. The driver started speeding on the third one. He believed he could halt it, but he was unable. The bus slid to the right.

PHOTO | COURTESY mwatate accident

"He looked a bit drunk. He had bought 10 packets of Muguka and 2 packets of cigarettes in the morning. We hit the wall, and the bus rolled three times." he added.

Onyango was riding the bus with the rest of his siblings, some of whom suffered critical injuries and lost their lives.

Nine people passed away immediately, while four more died of their injuries at other hospitals.

Governor of Taita Taveta County Andrew Mwadime, who visited the survivors in the hospital, praised the multiagency reaction to the disaster but was quick to demand that speed bumps be installed immediately at the area of the road that he claims has become a dangerous area.

"That is a blackspot, I would like KENHA to review the road. If possible, erect bumps and a protective wall," he said.

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Japheth Koome, has warned about the need for strict action against driving recklessly.

He continued, We have found that long-distance drivers are overworked, which we want to address because all these accidents are caused by carelessness.