Two victims of the Monday night tragic road crash are set to be transferred from Webuye County Hospital in Bungoma County to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret for specialized treatment as doctors continue to attend to survivors of the fatal accident.
Speaking to the press in his office, Webuye County Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. David Wanikina said the facility received 21 accident victims who required immediate medical attention after they were involved in the tragic road crash along the busy Webuye–Lugulu highway at Malaha.
Dr. Wanikina explained that the hospital worked swiftly to stabilize the victims and assess those who required advanced medical care.
“We have communicated with Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret and they have accepted two patients who require specialized treatment,” he said.
According to the medical superintendent, doctors and emergency teams worked tirelessly to save the lives of the injured patients, but unfortunately five of them succumbed while undergoing emergency treatment at the facility.
“Out of the 21 victims we received, five died while undergoing emergency treatment at the hospital, with one patient succumbing while in the theatre during surgery,” he said.
He further revealed that the hospital also received 10 bodies that were brought directly from the accident scene by emergency responders and members of the public.
“In total we received 31 people who were involved in the accident. Among them were three expectant mothers who are currently receiving medical care and monitoring at the facility,” Dr. Wanikina added.
He noted that the condition of the patients who remain admitted at the hospital is improving, with many responding well to treatment under the close supervision of medical staff.
“The patients who are still admitted are stable and responding positively to treatment,” he stated.
Currently, the hospital mortuary is holding a total of 15 bodies, five of those who died while receiving treatment and ten who were brought in dead from the accident scene. Over 20 survivors are admitted at the facility.
Speaking when he visited the injured victims at Webuye County Hospital on Wednesday, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula urged relevant authorities to move with speed and establish the circumstances that led to the fatal crash.
“I urge our police officers to collaborate with members of the public and trace the driver who caused the accident so that he can record a statement and help investigators establish what exactly happened,” Wetang’ula said.
To support families who lost their loved ones, the Ford Kenya party leader revealed that Bungoma leaders have formed a burial committee to coordinate burial arrangements for the victims.
The committee will be chaired by Webuye East MP Martin Pepela and will include Webuye East Members of the County Assembly, Bungoma Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga and Deputy Governor Jenipher Mbatiany.
Wetang’ula further announced that a fundraising drive will be held on Sunday to mobilize resources to assist bereaved families in meeting burial expenses.
“We will hold a fundraising on Sunday to support the affected families, and on Monday Bungoma leaders will lead a joint memorial and burial service for the victims,” he said.
He also noted that one Muslim family had already buried their loved one in accordance with Islamic traditions.
“There is one Muslim family that has already buried their loved one according to the Holy Quran and we fully respect their religious practices,” he added.
Wetang’ula assured families that both the national and county governments will work together to support them during the difficult period as they prepare to lay their loved ones to rest.
