Two high school deputy principals are fighting for their lives following a grisly road accident at Tosha Petrol Station along the Bobaracho–Kisii road, near Kisii National Polytechnic.
The crash, which occurred after a lorry reportedly lost its brakes, left two people feared dead and several others injured. According to eyewitnesses, the speeding lorry veered off the road and rammed into a Probox matatu carrying passengers, including three deputy principals from local secondary schools.
“I was carrying a passenger when the lorry came at high speed and hit the car as we ran for our lives,” said a boda boda rider who witnessed the incident.
Rescue efforts were led by students from Kisii National Polytechnic and members of the public, who worked for hours to free the injured and rush them to nearby hospitals. Traffic police from Kisii Central Sub-County later arrived at the scene to manage the situation.
One of the deputy principals was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Others are receiving treatment in general wards. Hospital CEO Marita Oimeke confirmed that while some victims have been treated and discharged, several remain under intensive care.
Following the accident, students at Kisii National Polytechnic called on the government to address frequent accidents along the stretch, which they described as a notorious black spot. They proposed the construction of a flyover linking the institution to Kisii Cathedral Catholic Church to improve safety and traffic flow.
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“We have witnessed several accidents here in the past, making us fear for our safety. Urgent action is needed,” said student Julius Omondi.
The students also blamed reckless driving, including drunk driving, and accused authorities of lax enforcement of traffic regulations.
Road safety advocates are now urging immediate interventions near learning institutions, including installation of speed control measures, enhanced traffic enforcement, improved pedestrian infrastructure, and stricter regulation of public service and heavy commercial vehicles.
The Tosha Petrol Station stretch has seen multiple accidents in recent years, raising concerns about the safety of students and road users. Authorities have yet to announce specific measures following the latest incident.
By Enock Okong’o
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