Driver recounts how he survived Londiani fatal accident

A driver who survived the fatal Londiani tragedy recalls the horrific accident that claimed the lives of 55 people.

Peter Otieno, the driver, stated that he noticed an oncoming trailer traveling at a high pace.

“I had approached the Londiani junction and I saw a trailer that was coming at a very high speed, I was going towards the trailer but I dodged it. The car behind me thought that I was slowing down to buy something and he overtook me and got hit by the trailer and then fell on my car,” he said.

“I saw close to 20 bodies and others which had not been retrieved yet.”

The 6.30 pm accident occurred after a truck lost control, running over pedestrians, business people and matatus which were parked by the roadside, witnesses and police said.

Regional police boss Tom Odera confirmed that 45 had died and said there was a possibility that the number could rise.

“We have about 45 bodies and the toll may rise,” he said adding many bodies are trapped under a trailer.

The truck was heading to Kericho before it lost control and veered off the road, ramming into tens of hawkers who were busy along the Nakuru-Kericho highway.

Several matatus were damaged beyond recognition during the evening accident.

More than 60 people were rushed to different hospitals in Londiani, Kericho and Nakuru where they are currently receiving treatment.