KU trip cancelled, learning suspended for 3 days after fatal bus crash

Kenyatta University (KU) has cancelled its planned educational trip to the Coast following the fatal road accident involving one of the institution's buses at Maungu area along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, in a statement to newsrooms on Tuesday, revealed that two buses were part of the university's academic trip to the Coast, but one of them collided with a heavy truck resulting in the fatal collision that claimed 11 lives and caused serious injuries to 21 others.

He added that the second bus however made it to its destination, but has since been recalled back to the institution following news of the crash.

"Two buses had departed from the university for an academic trip at the Coast; one bus arrived safely, while the other was involved in a collision with a heavy truck around 6 pm near Maungu area, Taita Taveta County," said Mwaura.

"The planned trip has been cancelled and the students who had arrived for the trip have been recalled to the institution in a show of solidarity with the affected comrades."

Mwaura likewise revealed that the government, through the Ministry of Education, is collaborating closely with KU officials to provide psychosocial care and counselling services to students affected by the tragic accident.

Those seeking information about their kin on the ill fated bus have since been accommodated at a facility that will serve as the help desk centre and already, with relatives streaming in hopes of finding information about their kin.

Learning at the university has meanwhile been suspended for three days in honour of the students who perished in the accident.

Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Waceke Wanjohi said the three days will enable the institution's community to mourn the departed.

The university's Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Wainaina on Tuesday visited the injured students receiving treatment at the Moi County Referral Hospital.

Seven seriously injured students were airlifted to Nairobi and are receiving medical care at a city hospital.

An additional sixteen others with less serious injuries are also being transported to the same hospital for care.

The university has revealed that the bodies of the deceased students will be moved to the Kenyatta University Funeral Home pending identification.