Raila Odinga Donates KSh 1m to Victims of Coptic Roundabout Accident that Claimed 26 Lives
- Bereaved families and relatives gathered at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital Friday morning to take the bodies of their loved ones killed in a road accident
- The accident occurred last Friday, August 8; a school bus overturned at the Coptic Roundabout in Kisumu, killing 26 people
- Kisumu governor Anyang' Nyong'o announced a fund drive to support the families; ODM leader Raila Odinga contributed KSh 1 million
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It was all tears and sombre moods at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital on Friday morning, August 15, as bereaved families and relatives showed up to pick up the bodies of their loved ones.
Source: Twitter
These were 26 people who perished in a nasty road accident last Friday, August 8, at the Coptic roundabout, a black spot in Kisumu's Mamboleo area.
How Anyang' Nyong'o stood with bereaved families
Kisumu governor Anyang' Nyong'o and other officials of the county government joined the mourners at the facility to share in the grief.
Coffins bearing the remains of the victims were paraded outside the hospital's morgue, characterisng the dejected atmosphere as the inconsolable bereaved and mourners broke down in emotion.
A mass funeral service has been slated for Saturday, August 16, at Naki Primary School grounds.
"Following the tragic accident at the Coptic roundabout on the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway, which claimed the lives of 26 people, we held a moment of silence today. We joined the victims' families at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital morgue as they prepared to take their loved ones home for burial. A mass burial will take place tomorrow at Naki Primary School," the governor said.
How much did Raila donate to Kisumu accident victims?
Meanwhile, the governor announced a fund drive for well-meaning members of the public to support the grieving families.
Details for the contribution are set to be published in newspapers for a wider reach, the governor said.
He further revealed that ODM leader Raila Odinga had contributed KSh 1 million to support the families.
"To support the affected families, I have personally donated KSh 1 million, which is in addition to the KSh 1 million donated by Rt. Hon Raila Odinga. The bank details and account number will be published in tomorrow's papers for anyone who wishes to contribute to the fundraising effort," Nyong'o said.
Source: Twitter
How Kisumu road crash claimed lives
As hinted earlier, the accident occurred on the evening of Friday, August 8.
A Naki High School bus was ferrying mourners from Kakamega to Nyakach.
The journey had been smooth, with the travellers having a break at Kiboswa Town on the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway.
All had been well until the bus reached the vast Coptic roundabout in Mamboleo, Kisumu county.
The driver of the bus could not negotiate the roundabout, seeing the vehicle turn into a ditch.
A total of 19 people died on the spot; six others succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.
President William Ruto was among Kenyans who regretted the carnage.
How Ruto reacted to Kisumu accident that killed 26
In his statement sent on X, the president suggested the accident might have been contributed to by the negligence of relevant officers managing the particular road.
While commiserating with the bereaved, and praying for the survivors' quick recovery, the president urged the authorities in the traffic department to crack their whips.
He directed that anyone found culpable be presented before the justice system.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
