The death toll in the Ojola accident along the Kisumu-Busia road has risen to two after one person succumbed to injuries.

Twelve others are still admitted in critical condition at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu.

Nyanza regional traffic officer Thanju Mwangi said a woman succumbed on Wednesday, and another person died on Tuesday. 

The accident occurred when the driver of the saloon car was trying to overtake six vehicles and it rammed into the front wheel of the trailer heading to Maseno from Kisumu.

Mwangi said the vehicle which was headed to Kisumu from Maseno lost control and hit the PSV matatu which plunged into the nearby ditch.

“The driver was speeding during the accident,” he said. One of the students escaped unhurt.

The traffic boss issued a stern warning to motorists against speeding and carrying excess passengers.

“The drivers should be cautious on the roads, especially now that children are heading back to school. Those disobeying the traffic rules will be dealt with accordingly,” Mwangi said.

Residents from the Ojola area have urged the government to take swift action to prevent more deaths. 

They said several lives have been lost on that spot with little action taken.

They have called on elected leaders in Kisumu to push for the expansion of the busy road.

The residents want Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda to table a motion in the Senate to demand answers over the continued loss of lives in the area.

“The road should have yellow lines and heavy barriers like the ones placed at Sachangwan in Nakuru county to reduce accidents,” John Otieno, a resident said.

The road should also be constructed into a dual carriage from Kisumu International Airport to Maseno with proper signage, he said.

At Kisian junction, another blackspot, resident want a stage built to prevent parking of vehicles along the road thereby causing accidents.

Many people have lost their lives in the area when trailers navigating on the sloppy road from Maseno lose control and ram into parked vehicles.

“We want an immediate construction of a stage in the area to prevent deaths. The junction serves many people who are heading to Kisumu, Busia, Siaya, Bondo and Maseno,” Mary Awuor, a resident said. By Maurice Alal, The Star