On January 30, 2024, a survivor of the ill-fated Super Metro bus, which claimed the lives of over 11 individuals along the Kisumu-Nairobi Highway, shared harrowing details of the events preceding the tragic accident.
During a press interview, Aziz Abubakar revealed that the bus driver had been exceeding the speed limit in an attempt to make up for lost time during a thorough inspection at the Kenya-Uganda border. The journey had commenced in Kampala, Uganda, with the destination set for Nairobi.
Abubakar further explained that numerous passengers had expressed concerns about the excessive speed, but the driver disregarded their pleas. “The border checks significantly delayed our journey, and it appears the driver was attempting to compensate for the lost time by maintaining high speeds, overtaking other vehicles while ignoring our appeals,” he recounted.
Another survivor, Isa Kigundu, recounted the driver’s failure to control the bus during an overtaking maneuver, resulting in a catastrophic head-on collision with an oncoming lorry bound for Kisumu. Kigundu emphasized that if the driver had exercised caution, the incident might have been averted. Fortunately, Kigundu, who was seated on the driver’s side, sustained only minor injuries, while the left side of the bus suffered severe damage.
Allan Mwangi, the Nyanza Regional Traffic enforcer, reported that 11 individuals, including both drivers, lost their lives instantly, and 39 others sustained injuries. The bodies of the deceased were transported to the Ahero County Morgue.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Super Metro Sacco conveyed messages of condolence to the affected families, pledging to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. Through their social platforms, the Sacco expressed deep regret, stating, “As the Super Metro family, we regret to inform the public that one of our buses operating on the Kampala-Nairobi route was involved in an accident near Awasi along the Kisumu-Nairobi highway. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wish a speedy recovery to those currently hospitalized.”
