- One person died, and several others were injured after two school buses collided head‑on near Riting in West Pokot.
- Emergency teams, police, and residents rushed to rescue trapped passengers and transport the injured to nearby health facilities.
- The tragedy renewed calls for stricter enforcement of school bus safety regulations and highlighted the dangers of the winding Turkwel Dam road.
One person died, and several others were injured after two school buses collided near Riting, along the Turkwel Dam road in West Pokot County, on Tuesday afternoon, according to preliminary reports from the scene.
The buses were travelling in opposite directions when they collided head-on. One was carrying students from Mosop Constituency in Nandi County, believed to have been on an educational trip, while the other belonged to Lodwar Boys Senior School and was also transporting students. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage in the impact, leaving passengers trapped and stranded.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as survivors screamed for help and residents rushed to assist trapped passengers before emergency responders arrived. A large crowd of concerned members of the public gathered at the scene as police officers worked to secure the area and manage the situation.
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Emergency medical teams, security officers and local volunteers rescued those trapped inside the damaged buses and rushed the injured to nearby health facilities, where medical personnel continued assessing their condition. Authorities had not released the identity of the deceased by Tuesday afternoon, pending notification of next of kin, and the exact number and severity of injuries were still being verified.
Police officers immediately launched investigations into the cause of the crash. Investigators are expected to examine several possible factors, including speeding, dangerous overtaking, driver fatigue, mechanical failure, weather conditions and the state of the road, before compiling a full account of how the two vehicles came to collide on the stretch.
Accident‑Prone Turkwel Dam Stretch
The stretch near Turkwel Dam has, in the past, recorded several road accidents due to its winding sections, steep gradients and challenging terrain. Road safety experts have repeatedly urged motorists using the route to exercise caution, maintain safe speeds and ensure their vehicles are mechanically sound before embarking on long journeys, warning that the road’s difficult topography leaves little room for error, particularly for heavier vehicles such as buses.
The tragedy has renewed concerns over the safety of school transport, particularly during educational tours and inter-county travel, with parents, teachers and education stakeholders again calling for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations governing school buses. Under Kenya’s traffic regulations, school buses are required to meet strict safety standards, including regular inspections, proper maintenance and adherence to speed limits, while drivers assigned to transport students are expected to exercise the highest level of caution given the responsibility of carrying young passengers.
Authorities have appealed to the public to avoid speculation while investigations continue, urging Kenyans to rely on official communication regarding the identities of victims and the circumstances of the crash. Police also called on motorists using the Turkwel Dam route to remain patient and cooperate with officers managing traffic as recovery operations continued.
The incident once again underscores the need for continued investment in safer roads, responsible driving and strict enforcement of traffic laws to protect school children and other road users travelling across the country.
By Hillary Muhalya
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