PHOTOS: Bus carrying students overturns along Nakuru-Nairobi highway

A bus carrying students back to school overturned along the Nairobi–Nakuru highway on Tuesday morning.

The incident occurred in the Kimende area, a section of the road known for fog and steep descents.

Preliminary reports from sources on the ground indicate the bus landed on its side off the main carriageway, with all students on board reportedly escaping unharmed.

Earlier, six were killed after being involved in a road accident near Fort Ternan along the Londiani-Muhoroni road.

Four died on the spot, while two others succumbed to injuries, according to Kericho County Police Commander James Ngetich.

The accident happened in the morning after a Uwezo bus travelling to Busia rammed into a truck.

Photos shared online showed the bus badly damaged in the front end after it rammed into the rear of the truck.

The accidents now come amid a series of road crashes in early January.

On January 5, at least 10 people, including two children, died in a head-on collision between a Greenline bus and a 14-seater matatu at Karai, Naivasha.

Over the weekend, six people were killed in Kikopey, Gilgil, after a trailer’s brakes failed and it rammed into a matatu.

On January 2, another six people died in a collision between a bus and a matatu near Konza City.

The troubling string of accidents, usually witnessed in high prevalence during the festive season, triggered a call for road safety.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) ordered stricter compliance checks on vehicles carrying students, emphasising the need to avoid overloading and the use of unroadworthy buses.

In a statement on Monday, the Chirchir urged motorists to slow down while approaching school zones and pedestrian crossings, obey speed limits, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, and to observe traffic signs and signals at all times.

"Slow down and be alert when approaching school zones and pedestrian crossings; children may be walking and crossing unexpectedly. Obey speed limits, traffic signs, and signals at all times," he said.

"Ensure your vehicle is roadworthy; brakes, lights, tyres, and mirrors must be in good condition. Do not overload vehicles carrying children," he added.

Photos: Courtesy