A family of four escaped death after their vehicle hit and killed an elephant in Manga, Voi, on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway on Monday night.
Taita Taveta county traffic commander Charles Nyabayo told the Star that the vehicle hit one of the elephants, killing it on the spot.
“The elephant was hit on the head and later fell on the vehicle. The upper and front part of the vehicle was smashed,” he said on Tuesday.
Despite the impact, Kamala Ogweno, who was driving the vehicle, his wife and two children, sustained minor injuries.
They were treated at Moi County Referral Hospital in Voi and allowed to proceed to Mombasa. The wreckage was towed to Voi police station.
Hundreds of residents from nearby villages had a feast as they flocked to the area to get chunks of elephant meat.
A team of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers took away the tusks.
Nyabayo said the driver may have been speeding, leading to the accident.
He cautioned drivers against exceeding the set speed limit while driving along the Tsavo National Park corridor.
“It is clear that the driver was speeding and could not avoid hitting the elephant. Drivers should be cautious while driving along the highway, especially at night,” Nyabayo said.
Edited by A.N
