A bus driver accused of causing the deaths of two Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) students in a fatal road accident in Awasi, Kisumu County, was on Thursday, October 22 charged.
Appearing before Nyando Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Evelyn Makungu Onzere, Jotham Murumba Wanjala pleaded not guilty to a total of 12 counts following the fatal road accident on August 7, 2026.
Led by Principal Prosecution Counsel Douglas Moseti, the prosecution preferred Wanjala with two counts of causing the deaths of passengers Evance Odiwour Otieno and Rooney Owek Gakumba by dangerous driving, contrary to Section 46 of the Traffic Act, Cap. 403, Laws of Kenya.
The driver also faced 10 other counts of driving without due care and attention, contrary to Section 49(1) of the Traffic Act, arising from injuries sustained by 10 passengers in the accident.
The court heard that the accused drove the bus at a speed and in a manner that endangered the public before losing control of the vehicle, which veered off the road.
At the time, the bus was ferrying students from Mombasa to Kisumu in a convoy to attend the burial of former TUM student leader Elvis Otieno, popularly known as “Beast”, whose funeral was scheduled to take place the next day (August 8, 2026).
The court granted the accused a bond of KSh500,000, with no alternative cash bail.
The case will be mentioned on 5th November 2026.
