At least 34 people have died after a bus plunged into River Nithi in Tharaka Nithi county on Sunday.
The driver of the Modern Coast bus lost control of the vehicle, plunging into the river along the Meru - Mombasa highway.
Eastern Regional Commissioner Evans Achoki told the Star on Monday morning that the fatalities had increased to 34.
"We have so far accounted for 40 passengers and we will continue search and rescue to establish if others were trapped below the bus or swept away or were taken to other hospitals that we have not been able to establish," he said
Achoki warned drivers to exercise caution as they approach the Nithi bridge.
"This is a black spot and we have warnings to show that this is a black spot. We have agreed with the Kenya National Highways Authority that we are going to increase more signs to warn motorists," he said.
Tharaka Nithi county commissioner Robert Komora said 10 people are being treated with serious injuries.
Eyewitnesses said that the Mombasa-bound bus was travelling from Meru Town when the accident occurred.
Kenya Red Cross on Sunday was able to rescue some of the victims, who were rushed to the hospital.
The accident occurred at around 6 pm.
The injured have been rushed to Chuka County Referral Hospital and PCEA Chogoria Mission Hospital.
The accident happened just a month after National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) released a report on the increasing number of deaths following road accidents.
According to NTSA, about 2,211 have died on Kenyan roads between January and June this year, compared to 1,988 who died around the same time in 2021.
Some 608 motorcyclists died in the same period this year as compared to 569 in 2021, while 362 passengers died in the past six months as compared to the 326 in 2021.
The number of drivers who have died from accidents remained constant at 210.
788 pedestrians have died between January and June this year as compared to 651 last year.
Pillion passengers who have died have increased to 211 compared to the 182 who died in 2021.
32 pedal cyclists died in the period as compared to 50 who perished last year.
Speeding, according to police, has been the main cause of the crashes.
Reckless driving, dangerous overtaking, drunk driving, drunk walking, drunk riding, and failure to use helmets among other issues have also been attributed to the increase in crashes.
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