NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 12 – Six military officers were killed and 10 others seriously injured in a road accident that occurred on the Meru-Nanyuki highway on Wednesday night.
Military Spokesman Bogita Ongeri said the officers were travelling from Gilgil for military training exercise in Isiolo when the accident occurred.
“They were 23 in a truck when it overturned at the junction of Meru-Isiolo and Nanyuki roads. Four of them died on the spot while two others died on arrival at hospital,” he said on telephone from Mombasa.
“Four others who were in a critical condition were airlifted to the Forces Memorial Hospital for specialised treatment,” he said.
Six others were receiving treatment at the Isiolo District Hospital while four others had been treated and discharged.
Meru police chief Paul Ruto said investigations had been launched to establish the cause of the accident.
“We have not established the cause of this accident but investigations are underway,” he said.
He could not confirm reports that the accident occurred as a result of a brake failure as suggested by some military sources.
In September last year, twelve soldiers were killed in another road accident that occurred on the Thika highway near Mukeu estate.
Chief of the General Staff Jeremiah Kianga at the time described the accident as a major loss to the country and vowed to put in place measures to curb future accidents.
Although he blamed the accident on poor visibility on the highway, military sources familiar with the condition of their vehicles and travel arrangements said many accidents were a result of overloading.
“Our trucks are always overloaded with soldiers yet they are not stable. It is an urgent issue which need to be addressed,” one military officer said on condition of anonymity.
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