The minibus that killed nine people following an accident along the Machakos-Kitui road on Monday evening was overloaded and speeding.
According to Machakos county officers and road safety officials, the vehicle with 30 bags of charcoal on the carrier had 49 passengers instead of the allowed sitting capacity of 37.
According to County Police Boss Patrick Lobolia the fatal crash happened after the driver of the vehicle lost control and rolled several times killing eight passengers on the spot.
One person succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at the hospital.
County Executive Committee member for Health Dr Daniel Yumbya said 34 people are undergoing treatment at the Machakos level 5 hospital five of whom are in critical condition.
Edward Gitonga of Speed Governors and Road Safety said he got information that the ill-fated bus ferrying passengers from Kitui to Nairobi had its speed limiter removed three weeks ago.
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi said the county government will waive the bills for all the victims in the hospital and sent a message of condolences to the families of the deceased.
Road Safety Association of Kenya Chairman David Kiarie hailed the prompt response by the Machakos health team to the accident which he said helped minimize the death toll.
He said the government should declare the runaway road carnage a national disaster and enforce measures to curb deaths.
Antony Kioko
