James Wegesah is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his wife and child, who died in a road crash at Kikopey on Sunday evening as the family travelled back to Nairobi after attending his mother-in-law’s burial in Kisumu.

Speaking at Gilgil Police Station, Wegesah says the journey home from to the burial turned into a tragedy that has left him the only surviving member of his immediate family.

The family had travelled to Kisumu for the burial, which was held on Saturday, before beginning their journey back to Nairobi.

Wreckage of the car involved in the Kikopey accident that claimed five lives yesterday evening

Photo credit: PURITY KINUITHIA/MTAA WANGU

Wegesah says six people were travelling in the private car, including his wife and child, his brother-in-law, his brother-in-law’s wife and their child.

“I have lost my whole family in this accident. We were a family of three and now I am left alone,” Wegesah says.

The crash which occurred on Monday morning also claimed the lives of other occupants of the vehicle, leaving one survivor who is currently receiving treatment in hospital.

Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander Winstone Mwakio confirms that five people died in the accident, while the sole survivor was rushed to Nakuru County Teaching and Referral Hospital for treatment.

Police officers inspect the car wreckage involved in the Kikopey accident that claimed five lives yesterday evening. Photo Purity Kinuthia.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUITHIA/MTAA WANGU

“The boy is about 20 years old. He was rushed to Nakuru PGH, where he is currently undergoing treatment,” Mwakio says.

Mwakio says the accident involved an Easy Coach bus travelling towards Nakuru general direction and a private vehicle heading in the direction of Nairobi.

Police officers inspect the Easy Coach bus wreckage involved in the Kikopey accident that claimed five lives yesterday evening

Photo credit: PURITY KINUITHIA/MTAA WANGU

The two vehicles collided at Kikopey, resulting in the deaths of five people and leaving one person injured.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

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Purity Kinuthia