Two family members die, six others injured in Lamu road accident

Two people from the same family have died while six others were injured in a fatal road accident along the Lamu-Witu-Garsen Road.

The two, both females, were among eight occupants who were aboard a Toyota Noah vehicle that was travelling from Mombasa to Lamu when the driver lost control before rolling near Mambo Sasa Forest, about one kilometre past Witu Town.

Lamu Central Sub-County Police Commander William Kahindi Ngombo confirmed the accident, adding that the driver was in critical condition and had to be referred to the Mombasa Coast General Hospital for specialised treatment.

The rest escaped with minor injuries and were treated at the Witu Health Centre before they were discharged.

“An accident has occurred. Two passengers are confirmed dead. Six others were taken to Witu Health Centre, but the driver was referred to Coast General Hospital in Mombasa as he was in critical condition,” said Ngombo.

Goods scattered across the road after a Toyota Noah rolled at Mambo Sasa Forest along the Lamu-Witu-Garsen route on Monday, October 7, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

He further cautioned motorists against careless driving on the road.

“I would like to caution our motorists to avoid overspeeding on the road to avoid further loss of lives,” warned Ngombo.

Lamu County Commissioner Wesley Koech added that he received information at around 10.30 am that two people had died while several others had been injured in a road accident along the Lamu-Witu-Garsen Road.

“I also warn drivers of both public service vehicles (PSVs) and private cars to exercise caution when driving and avoid speeding,” cautioned Koech.

In December 2019, at least 50 passengers escaped unhurt after a Lamu-bound bus overturned.

A Toyota Noah that rolled at Mambo Sasa Forest along the Lamu-Witu-Garsen route on Monday, October 7, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

The Tawakal Bus was from Mombasa and headed to Lamu when it veered off the road and rolled at the Maisha Masha area along the Lamu-Witu-Garsen road.

The incident was blamed on the heavy rains that had pounded the area at the time.

The rains had made the Lamu-Witu-Garsen road, which was under construction by then, slippery.

In October 2019, two Lamu County Health workers were seriously injured after the car they were travelling in veered off the road and rolled several times at Mambo Sasa Forest near Witu.

The car was headed to Mombasa from Lamu, had four occupants on board, and was speeding at the time of the crash.

In August 2019, a four-year-old child was killed while eight other people were injured after a Mombasa Raha bus they were travelling in rammed into a truck that was transporting construction materials in the Hindi Area on the Lamu-Witu-Garsen Road.

Two people died and six others were injured after a Toyota Noah rolled at Mambo Sasa Forest along the Lamu-Witu-Garsen route on Monday, October 7, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)