Accident scene/SCREENSHOT
The Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) has announced that 14 students injured in a road accident near Ahero have been discharged from hospital, while 15 others remain under medical care following the crash that claimed the lives of two students.
In an update issued on Saturday, August 8, the university said all students who had been receiving treatment at Lisa Hospital had since been discharged.
“The 15 students at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital remain under medical care, with one student referred to Aga Khan Hospital HDU for further treatment,” the university said.
The institution said it remained in close contact with the affected students and their families as recovery efforts continued.
“We remain deeply saddened by the loss of our two students in the tragic accident,” the university said.
According to the update, the parents of the two students who died have been informed and are making arrangements to collect the bodies for transfer to the nearest mortuaries.
The latest update comes a day after the accident occurred as TUM students travelled to Kisumu to attend the burial of former student leader Elvis “Beast” Otieno.
The university had said the students travelled from Mombasa and arrived safely in Kisumu, where they received Otieno’s body after it had been flown from Mombasa.
The crash happened as the convoy proceeded to the burial venue.
According to the university, the last bus carrying mourners overturned near Ahero after the driver attempted to avoid a head-on collision with an oncoming speeding saloon car.
The institution said the driver lost control of the bus during the manoeuvre, leading to the fatal accident.
Two male students died while 29 others sustained injuries and were taken to Lisa Hospital in Ahero and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital for treatment.
As funeral services for Otieno continued on Saturday, the university said it stood in solidarity with his family and the wider institution.
“As the funeral service of our former student leader, Elvis ‘Beast’ Otieno, continues today, we continue to stand with his family, friends and the wider TUM community,” the statement said.
The university also renewed its appeal for responsible sharing of information, urging the public to avoid circulating unverified claims or graphic content related to the accident.
“We urge everyone to avoid misinformation and refrain from sharing graphic images or videos. Please rely on official University communication and respect the dignity and privacy of those affected,” the university said.
It added that its thoughts and prayers remained with the families of the deceased, the injured students and everyone affected by the tragedy.