Bungoma: 3 Killed As Speeding Lorry Plunges Into River Nzoia, Search For More Bodies Ongoing

• Three fatalities were confirmed in an accident on the Eldoret-Webuye highway, where a speeding lorry carrying Irish potatoes plunged into River Nzoia
• Witnesses reported that the lorry's brakes failed, causing it to veer off the highway and enter the River Nzoia at Kaburengo bridge
• Residents engaged in rescue operations, facing heavy currents, and some attempted to loot the potatoes from the accident scene

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Bungoma - Three people have been confirmed dead following an accident involving a lorry along the Eldoret-Webuye highway.

The lorry that was transporting Irish potatoes was reportedly speeding when it lost control and plunged into the raging waters of River Nzoia.

According to witnesses, the lorry's brakes seemed to have failed, causing it to veer off the highway while attempting to cross the Kaburengo bridge.

"I was at Kaburengu, and a Canter-type vehicle appeared from Chimoi. This vehicle seemed to have a brake failure; it was bouncing over bumps. It went past the first one until the last bump when the driver started to struggle with controling it until it plunged into River Nzoia," said Francis Walutili.

Other residents claimed the lorry was overloaded and might have contributed to the road carnage, asking the government to take action.

Residents rushed to the scene to help with rescue operations as they fought against heavy currents under the bridge.

A despicable incident that did not go down well with a section of the residents saw some local rescuers try to loot the potatoes.

Bungoma residents give measures to be taken

Vincent Sindani, a local preacher, has appealed to companies to have drivers work in shifts to deal with fatigue.

He claimed the accidents might be caused by drivers who sleep at the wheel because of fatigue after driving for hours.

Sindani called on drivers to be extra-vigilant during the festive season and to observe all the traffic rules.

"The incident that occurred today, personally, I can say for those companies that employ drivers, I would like to advise that you should at least schedule drivers to have their designated times. There is a possibility that people are placed on trucks driving for long hours until they get tired.

In this Christmas season, I would like to request that drivers be cautious on the roads and observe the road signs. If you look at Chimoi, they have marked a black spot ahead; you should be on the look out," he stated.

Pedestrian killed in Eldama Ravine

In other sad news, a pedestrian was killed after he was hit by a speeding car at Kibasiso along the Ravine-Nakuru highway on Friday, November 3.

The man was reportedly knocked down in an apparent hit-and-run that left him hanging on to his life.

Residents at the scene complained that they tried calling for emergency services to no avail, arguing that the man would have been saved.