At least 6 people were burnt to death when a matatu they were traveling in was involved in an accident in Yatta, Machakos County.
The 9.30 am crash occurred at Kwa Majini bridge along the Kithimani-Matuu road when the 14-seater matatu belonging to Kinatwa Sacco collided with a car and burst into flames.
Among the dead who were burnt beyond recognition was a secondary school student, two women and three men. Several other passengers were rushed to Matuu hospital with various burns.
Machakos residents demonstrated after the accident
Interestingly, the accident occurred moments before residents staged a demonstration to protest the delay in completing the bridge which they blamed for a series of accidents.
The irate villagers led by local politicians later blocked the road for more than two hours causing a major traffic snarl up on both sides of the road.
Annastacia Muendo, who was among the group leaders, said construction of the bridge has taken more than two years, yet it was scheduled to be completed in six months.
“We are giving the contractor a month to complete the project failure to which we demand he vacates the cite and the contract given to someone else,” Muendo said.
Similar sentiments were expressed by other residents who asked the government to ensure the bridge is completed before it causes more deaths.
