Nine people killed, 30 injured in Matatu accident on Kitui-Machakos road

According to reports, the ill-fated Matatu was loaded with charcoal during the Monday afternoon accident.

Nine people have died after a matatu they were travelling on lost control and crashed near Katangi Market on the Kitui-Machakos road. 

Among the dead were a 9-year-old child and 8 adults. 

Machakos Health Executive Daniel Yumbya has confirmed the incident, saying it involved a 41-seater matatu.

"Eight people died on the spot, and the ninth died on arrival at Machakos County Referral Hospital," Yumbya said.

Thirty other passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to various health facilities in the region. 

According to Yumbya out of the 18 injured passengers booked at the hospital, five sustained critical injuries.

According to reports, the ill-fated Matatu was loaded with charcoal during the Monday afternoon accident. 

Witnesses said there were at least 30 sacks of charcoal scattered at the scene after the accident.