By Robert Muuo
Seven people were killed and 64 others injured after a vehicle carrying excess passengers veered off the road and overturned at Kalembwani in Nzaui Sub-County, Makueni County.
The accident occurred early Saturday morning as the vehicle travelled from the direction of Nthungoni towards Ngasya in Kalembwani.
The 42 seater matatu was carrying 71 passengers, according to the death toll and injured passengers.
Witnesses also claim the vehicle was rolling down the road on free gear as the driver allegedly tried to conserve the fuel he had in the fuel tank.
According to the Makueni County Government, the vehicle left the road and overturned a short distance from its destination, causing multiple casualties.
Makueni County Executive Committee Member for Health Dr Harvey Mueli confirmed that seven people died in the crash.
He said 40 people, comprising 38 adults and two children, were taken to Makueni County Referral Hospital in Wote for treatment.
Another 24 casualties were taken to Matiliku Hospital, bringing the total number of people receiving medical attention to 64.
Dr Mueli said the injured were progressing well under medical care.
The accident has once again brought into focus the dangers faced by motorists and passengers on the county’s roads, as emergency teams and health workers continued attending to the victims.
The exact circumstances that caused the vehicle to leave the road and overturn were not immediately clear.
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