Six dead, several injured in Kilifi accident

Six people died while 17 others sustained injuries in a grisly road accident involving two matatus at Roka Mwembeni stage along the Malindi-Mombasa highway.

Kilifi North Sub-county Police Commander Jonathan Koech confirmed that the accident occurred on Saturday evening, after two public service vehicles collided head on.

He urged drivers to avoid over speeding, noting that most PSV vehicles plying the route have tampered with the speed governors.

Four people died on the spot while two, a woman and a six months old baby died while receiving treatment.

Kilifi county hospital medical superintendent, Eddy Nzomo said 15 passengers sustained serious injuries and are admitted at the county referral hospital while two were treated and discharged.

Nzomo called on the public to visit the hospital and donate blood.

So far, only two of the deceased have been identified.

A vocal human rights and social justice defender is one of those identified.

Sofia Dyeka from Kaloleni was in one of the matatus heading home from Malindi where she had attended a wedding.

On Friday, she was feted for her efforts in fighting gender based violence in Kilifi county.

She will be buried today according to Islamic rites.