Bodies of pupils who perished at Kaburengu accident moved to Busia ahead of burial

Teso Tuesday June 27, 2023

KNA by Absalom Namwalo

Bodies of six Busia Ebenezer Academy learners’ who perished on Saturday at Kaburengu black spot along Eldoret-Webuye Highway when the school bus they were travelling in was involved in an accident have been moved to Busia.

According to the school Principal James Ouma the transfer of the bodies on Monday evening was meant to aid the preparations for a requiem mass to be held on Thursday ahead of burial of two of the victims on Saturday July 1.

The school has invited the public for a funds drive at Busia Polytechnic grounds on Wednesday to raise money to boost to enable family and friends gift the departed souls a decent sendoff.

Two of the pupils who perished will be laid to rest on July1 while the remaining five will be buried on June 7 and June 8.

“I am speechless following the incidence, as an institution we feel the pain and this is the hardest time to our school,” noted Ouma.

The accident claimed lives of four of the pupils at the scene while two others breathed their last while being admitted to Webuye County Hospital. This brought the number to seven.

Mr. Ouma clarified an earlier report that the school driver had also lost his life alongside the pupils. The driver was alive and was receiving treatment at Bungoma Referral Hospital.

“I went to the hospital to visit the driver. He is a live and was referred to Bungoma Referral Hospital. The driver who perished was for the vehicle that hit the school bus,” Ouma said on Tuesday.

He said the number of pupils who perished rose to seven after another learner succumbed to injuries while on treatment.

The bodies are preserved at local morgues in Busia.

The accident occurred after Ebenezer Academy school bus is said to have been hit by a Mercedes Benz truck that was travelling from Eldoret towards Webuye town.

On Sunday and Monday, a somber mood eclipsed Ebenezer Academy as parents, teachers, neighbours and local leaders tried to get to terms with the tragedy that had visited the institution.

Ouma said six learners were critically injured during the accident and one has been referred to Aga Khan Hospital Kisumu for specialized treatment while two are receiving medical care at Life Care Hospital Bungoma where they were referred to. Another three are admitted at Bungoma Referral Hospital.

Nine others who sustained minor injuries were released to rejoin their families. Two teachers who also sustained serious injuries were still receiving treatment at Bungoma Referral Hospital alongside the driver.

Busia governor Dr. Paul Otuoma led the county in mourning the accident victims saying the Kaburengu tragic road accident was the single darkest and saddest day of his governorship.

“Like many of you parents, I feel not just deep sorrow but extreme anger,” the governor said Monday.

Busia women Rep Catherine Omanyo on her official Facebook website also mourned the departed souls terming it a big blow to the county.

Courtesy ; K. N. A