Easter weekend turns tragic as bizarre accident kills 8 in Migori

It was a normal day in Migori town. The people had woken up to their usual affairs and were eager to earn something to carry them through the long Easter weekend, which came extra demands amid a high cost of living.

Suddenly, a speeding lorry with its headlights on and a loud sickening hoot hazardously made its way into the congested town.

There was panic at the scene, with screams all over and people scampering for safety.

The town which was peaceful had in minutes turned into a chaotic scene. At the Migori Bridge, the ill-fated lorry had rammed into vehicles, motorcycles and people.

Within no time, three lorries were hit, dozens of motorcycles crushed and several people left lying dead on the road.

Notably, the bridge area has high traffic, with the road there being narrow and steep. To make matters worse, boda boda riders pack on either side of the road with hawkers crisscrossing anyhow, making it hard for drivers to navigate in case of an emergency.

Some people were tossed into nearby ditches as the lorry swept all within its reach.

What had promised to be a good day, going by the early morning sun, had quickly turned into a nightmare, with a dark cloud of sorrow and shock covering the area fr the better part of the day.

Saturday, April 8, 7.30 am will forever linger in the minds of many Migori residents, especially those who lost their loved ones in the accident.

Eight people died while another eight were taken to the Migori County Referral Hospital with serious injuries.

The driver of the ill-fated vehicle, 36-year-old Peter Ndua, was one of the survivors. He was ferrying bags of rice from Nairobi to Isibania.

For three kilometres from Kakrao, where his vehicle's brakes failed, he tried to navigate his way through the busy road, as he avoided hitting other vehicles and people.

"He drove while hooting and with the headlights were on. When he reached the Migori Bridge, he first hit two pedestrians. One was thrown into the nearby river by the impact," said Migori County Police Commander Mark Wanjala.

He then hit a lorry, damaging it on the rear.  The driver swerved to the right and hit two stationary tippers.

The doomed lorry further hit several motorcycles and pedestrians, before landing in a ditch.

Commander Wanjala said seven victims died at the scene of the accident - six adults and a child. Among them was a pastor from the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Migori and a seven-year-old boy.

At the scene, the motorcycles had been reduced to twisted metals while the rice that was had spilled on the highway.

Sadly, in the midst of the chaos, some residents looted the rice, with police officers who were busy rescuing people unable to protect the goods.  

Several leaders sent condolence messages, among them Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition boss Raila Odinga, Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko and his Kisumu counterpart Anyang' Nyong'o.

Mr Odinga said, "I offer my deepest sympathies to all those who have lost their loved ones, friends, and colleagues in the tragic accident that occurred this morning at the boda boda stage in Migori town. May God grant you all fortitude to get through this difficult moment. "

My Ayacko, who visited the survivors in hospital, said the Migori County Government will meet the treatment expenses for those hospitalized.

“As a government we pray for these families, the souls of the departed and for the quick recovery of those who are undergoing treatment. We will continue supporting those who are recovering by offering treatment and also trying to meet some of the medical charges,” said Mr Ayacko.

He added that his administration will work out how much treatment will cost and see how to intervene.

He later visited the mortuary and condoled with the bereaved families, saying the county government will cater for the preservation bills and burial expenses.

"We will meet the mortuary and modest funeral expenses for those who have lost their lives. We know that poverty, the high cost of living and other challenges are afflicting our people. These sudden losses that may not have been anticipated are rubbing salt or insult to the injury that our people are already suffering,” said the Migori governor.

He added that the devolved unit, through the department of health and environment and disaster management, will form a team that will help talk to the families and meet the expenses by the affected families.

Mr Ayacko further called on residents to exercise caution during the Easter break.

"I am particularly asking drivers within our county to exercise caution. At such times of celebrations, the spirit of death is usually hovering around for destruction. Let us be cautious and take care of our lives and those of others," he said.

He also said his administration is looking into long term solutions to the congestion in the town and will clear road sides filled with hawkers and boda boda riders. 

Mr Nyong'o ,who is also the chairman of the Lake Region Economic Block (LREB), described the early morning accident as spine-chilling. He wished those injured a quick recovery.

"I wish, on behalf of the LREB leadership and the people of Kisumu, to condole with Governor Ochilo Ayacko, the families of those killed and the people of Migori.  It is a sad Easter for all of us," said Prof Nyong'o.

Addition reporting by Wycliffe Nyaberi and George Odiwuor.