2023 Kericho truck crash
2023 Kericho truck crash is located in Kenya
2023 Kericho truck crash
2023 Kericho truck crash (Kenya)
Date30 June 2023
LocationLondiani, Kericho County, Kenya
Coordinates0°10′36″S 35°37′05″E / 0.17653°S 35.618°E / -0.17653; 35.618
CauseA lorry carrying a shipping container veered off the road and ploughed into several vehicles
Deaths52
Non-fatal injuries30

On 30 June 2023, a lorry carrying a shipping container went out of control and hit several vehicles, pedestrians and market traders on a road in Londiani, Kericho County, Kenya, killing at least 52 people and injuring at least 30.[1][2]

Background

The number of traffic collisions in Kenya has been swelling in recent years.[1] The area of the crash site is known for having frequent road incidents.[3]

Kenya has a road mortality rate of 27.8 per 100,000 people (per the WHO); typical for sub-Saharan Africa (where the rate is 27 per 100,000), but higher than, for example, the European Union, which has 6 deaths per 100,000 people per year.[2] This high rate is blamed on "driver error, poor roads and decrepit vehicles."[4][5] On 24 July 2022, 34 people were killed when a bus drove into a river in Tharaka-Nithi County.[6] Kenya's National Transport and Safety Authority said that at least 4,690 people died in road accidents in Kenya in 2022.[7]

Africa accounts for about one-fifth of the world's road deaths, despite only containing 3% of the world's motor vehicles. Africa Transport Policy Program, which works on developing transportation policies, has referred to an "epidemic of road fatalities and serious injuries." More than 270,000 people die in vehicle collisions in Africa each year, and the World Health Organization projects that figure will nearly double by 2030, in part due rapid urbanization.[8]

Incident

A lorry carrying a shipping container lost control and collided into several other vehicles, pedestrians and market traders at a busy junction in Londiani.[2][3][7] The lorry hit minibuses, market stalls, boda bodas, and private cars. Fifty-two people were killed during the crash, making it one of the deadliest traffic collisions in Kenya in recent history. At least three people died in hospital.[1] At least 30 people were injured, with the number possibly being even higher. Witnesses said the driver was trying to avoid a bus that had broken down on the road.[9] Heavy rain interrupted rescue efforts.[3] The lorry was registered in Rwanda. The Kenyan Red Cross started a blood donation drive for the injured.[2]

Aftermath

The governor of Kericho County, Erick Mutai, said "[his] heart is crushed" by the crash, while Kenyan President William Ruto said, "The country mourns with the families who have lost loved ones in a horrific road accident in Londiani".[1] Transport minister Kipchumba Murkomen stated at a visit to the site that it was a "painful", "terrible" tragedy and promised to introduce new safety measures, with road safety awareness programmes being started, speed cameras being installed and the re-testing of public service and commercial vehicle drivers. Murkomen said the government planned to move street traders from roadside areas to designated markets to avoid similar accidents in the future. He also said to reporters that "Investigations have been launched to establish the cause of this accident but we urge drivers to be cautious and follow the rules."[2][10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Death toll in Kenya road crash rises to 52". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Death toll in Kenya road crash rises to 52". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 1 July 2023. Archived from the original on 1 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "At least 45 people were killed in a road accident in western Kenya, police say". AP News. 30 June 2023. Archived from the original on 30 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  4. ↑ Crowe, Portia. "Senegal Halts Night Buses After Crash Killed 40". www.barrons.com. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  5. ↑ "ANALYSIS: Why figures for Kenya's road death toll vary". Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  6. ↑ "Bus plunges into Kenyan river valley, 34 people dead, local media report". Reuters. 25 July 2022. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023 – via www.reuters.com.
  7. 1 2 "Kenya: Dozens killed in Londiani truck crash". DW. 1 July 2023. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  8. ↑ "Bus Crash in Senegal Kills at Least 40". New York Times. 8 January 2023. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  9. ↑ "Kenya lorry crash: Dozens killed after truck loses control". BBC News. 30 June 2023. Archived from the original on 30 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "State issues tough rules after Londiani accident". Nation. 2 July 2023. Archived from the original on 8 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
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