Several students were injured on Saturday, June 13, after a school bus ferrying children from a music festival was allegedly attacked by suspected goons along the Mayoni Bridge corridor linking Kakamega and Bungoma counties.
The disturbing incident left students traumatised, with emotional scenes unfolding by the roadside as some children cried, others fainted, and teachers struggled to seek medical assistance for the injured.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers hurled stones and other projectiles at the bus, shattering its windows and causing injuries to several students who were returning from a music festival held in Mumias.
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Reports indicate that the attackers allegedly mistook the school bus for a vehicle carrying supporters of the opposition, which had conducted political rallies across parts of the Western region earlier in the day.
Videos and photos shared online showed distressed students gathered beside the damaged bus, with some assisting their fellow learners who had collapsed following the ordeal.
A teacher accompanying the students broke down in tears while explaining the situation and appealing for help.
“We were just coming from the music festivals in Mumias; we are not from any political rally. Where is the nearest hospital?” the teacher asked emotionally.
Concerned residents who arrived at the scene attempted to comfort the students and help transport the injured to nearby medical facilities.
“Just get into the vehicle so we can go. The students will follow,” one resident was heard telling the distraught teacher.
The violence was not limited to the school bus. One witness claimed that a public service vehicle travelling through the area was also vandalised during the chaos.
“Surely, is this how low we’ve sunk? The public vehicle I was in, Bungoma Line, was also vandalised while travelling from Kisumu, and three people sustained minor injuries. I hope the organisers of this violence are now happy,” the witness said.
The incident has sparked outrage among Kenyans, with many condemning the attack on schoolchildren and calling for authorities to investigate those responsible.
As of the time of publication, authorities had not issued an official statement regarding the attack or confirmed the number of students injured.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over politically motivated violence and its impact on innocent civilians, particularly children.