Kapseret Member of Parliament (MP) Oscar Sudi has joined many leaders mourning the loss of 21 lives in a tragic bus crash along the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway on Friday, August 8, 2025.

The accident involved a Naki High School bus carrying 61 family members returning from a burial in Nyahera, Kisumu West sub-county. Besides the fatalities, 21 others were injured in what is considered one of the deadliest crashes on this route in recent years.

Sudi’s message

Sudi, a prominent United Democratic Alliance (UDA) politician and close ally of President William Ruto, shared his sympathies on X dated August 9, 2025, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway accident. May the families find strength, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”

Investigations underway

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) echoed these sentiments in a statement from Director General George Njao. The Authority has dispatched a team of road safety auditors to the crash scene near the notorious Coptic roundabout, a known black spot plagued by poor road design and inadequate signage. The NTSA has pledged to provide regular updates as investigations proceed to determine the cause of the crash.

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) confirmed the grim toll, reporting that 19 bodies were brought in from the accident site, with two unidentified adult males and a male child succumbing to injuries upon arrival. Hospital officials noted that staff acted swiftly to treat the 21 survivors, who remain in stable condition in the Emergency and Accident Unit.

JOOTRH reiterated concerns over the Coptic roundabout’s accident-prone reputation and urged for urgent road infrastructure improvements. To support the affected families, the hospital has set up a dedicated help desk and remains on high alert to respond to any further emergencies.

Road safety crackdown

President William Ruto responded to the tragedy by directing traffic enforcement officers to intensify road safety operations nationwide. In a post on X, he expressed prayers for the victims and strength for their families while wishing a quick recovery for the injured.

The President emphasised the need for a comprehensive crackdown on traffic violations and negligence, calling for systemic change to curb the rising toll of road accidents. This tragedy has reignited calls for urgent upgrades to Kenya’s road infrastructure. According to the World Health Organisation’s 2023 data, Kenya records 9.6 road deaths per 100,000 people annually, highlighting the critical need to address this ongoing crisis.