Fifteen Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) students are still receiving medical care following a deadly road crash near Ahero in Kisumu County, with 14 others already discharged from hospital.
TUM in a statement on Saturday, said one of the students still undergoing treatment has been moved to Aga Khan Hospital’s High Dependency Unit, while the other 14 are being treated at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).
The Friday accident left two male students dead and 29 others injured as they travelled to Kisumu for the funeral of former TUM student leader Elvis “Beast” Otieno.
The students had left Mombasa for the funeral and had reached Kisumu, where they received Otieno’s body after it was flown in from Mombasa. They were later involved in the crash while travelling in the last bus of the group as they approached Ahero.
TUM said the driver was forced to react after an oncoming saloon car approached at high speed, prompting an attempt to avoid a head-on collision. The bus subsequently went out of control and overturned.
"Tragically, while approaching Ahero, the last bus carrying mourners was involved in a road accident after the driver attempted to avoid a head-on collision with an oncoming over-speeding saloon car. In the process, the driver lost control of the bus, causing it to roll. Regrettably, two of our male students lost their lives in the accident. Twenty-nine," the institution said.
The injured students were initially taken to Lisa Hospital in Ahero and JOOTRH, where they received treatment following the accident.
In the latest update, the university confirmed that the 14 students who had been admitted at Lisa Hospital were well enough to leave the facility.
The university is now awaiting the recovery of the remaining students, including the one receiving care at Aga Khan Hospital.
"We remain deeply saddened by the loss of our two students in the tragic accident. Their parents have been informed and are making arrangements to collect the bodies for transfer to the nearest morgues," the University added.
TUM also acknowledged the efforts of emergency teams, health workers, security officers and members of the public who responded after the accident and helped those affected.
The university said it continues to stand with the families of the two students who died as arrangements are made for the transfer of their bodies to the nearest morgues.