At least 25 people are feared dead after a bus overturned at the Coptic Roundabout along the Kisumu–Kakamega Road on Friday evening, August 8.
Nyanza Regional Traffic Commander Peter Maina confirmed the accident, stating that the victims were believed to be mourners returning from a funeral in Nyahera, Kisumu County.
While the exact cause of the crash remains unclear, preliminary reports suggest the driver lost control of the vehicle before it veered off the highway and overturned.
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Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with passengers being thrown from the bus upon impact.
The mangled wreck, belonging to a local high school, was left sprawled across the blackspot, attracting large crowds from the surrounding area.
Five victims are reported to be in critical condition, while 15 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The Coptic Roundabout has long been notorious for fatal accidents, with locals blaming the high crash rate on poor road design, insufficient signage, and reckless driving.
The steep descent from Riat Hills is often cited as a major challenge for heavy commercial and passenger vehicles navigating the bend into the roundabout.
This year alone, three major accidents have occurred at the site. On July 15, a bus from Uzima University overturned at the roundabout, killing one and injuring 46 others.
Just two weeks earlier, on July 3, three people died in a lorry accident at the same location. In April, an Easy Coach bus crash claimed the life of a high school student.
Today’s tragedy follows another road accident earlier this week along the Kisumu–Busia highway in Vihiga County, where several students from Salvation Army Imusutsu High School were injured after their bus lost control.
Authorities have urged motorists to exercise extreme caution when navigating the Coptic Roundabout, as investigations into the cause of Friday’s deadly crash continue.