Two students from the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) have died after a bus carrying mourners to the funeral of former student leader Elvis “Beast” Otieno was involved in a road accident in Nyando, Kisumu County.
The university said 29 other students were injured when the bus rolled while approaching Ahero on Friday.
According to TUM Vice-Chancellor Prof Laila Abubakar, the students had travelled from Mombasa to Kisumu to receive the body of Mr Otieno, which had earlier been flown from Mombasa.
The accident involved the last of five buses carrying mourners from Mombasa, according to a statement by Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir.
The university said the driver was attempting to avoid a head-on collision with an oncoming saloon car that was travelling at high speed when he lost control of the bus.
The bus subsequently rolled, resulting in the deaths of two male students, the university said.
Injured students receiving treatment
The 29 injured students are being treated at Lisa Hospital in Ahero and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, TUM said.
Governor Nassir said ambulances had evacuated some of the injured passengers to nearby medical facilities, while security and emergency agencies responded to the scene.
He said the county government was in consultation with the Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Dr Raymond Omollo, as authorities worked to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
The governor urged students and residents of Mombasa to remain calm and avoid sharing unverified information while authorities continued their investigations.
He also said the identities of those who died should only be released after their next of kin had been formally notified.
Mourners were travelling to the funeral
The students were among mourners travelling to attend the funeral service of Mr Otieno, which is scheduled for Saturday, 8 August.
Mr Otieno was a former student leader at TUM, and his body had been transported to Kisumu ahead of the burial ceremonies.
TUM expressed its condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the two students who died.
Prof Abubakar also thanked emergency responders, medical workers, security agencies, and members of the public who assisted the students after the crash.
Governor Nassir said the county government would continue working with the relevant authorities to support those affected and provide further information as it is formally confirmed.
The accident comes as the mourners were making what was intended to be a solemn journey to pay their final respects to a former member of the university community.
