Thirteen people lost their lives following a grisly accident that happened on Sunday night in the Josa area along the Wundanyi-Mwatate Road.

The fatal crash involved a Public Service Vehicle that carried 34 passengers including who had just come from attending a funeral in Mghambonyi and were heading to Mombasa.


The preliminary investigation report by the police showed a brake failure as the cause of the grisly crash.

According to the police report, the bus’ brakes failed before the driver lost control and caused the vehicle to veer off the road, rolling several times.

“Our preliminary investigations indicate that the motor vehicle was moving from Wundanyi general direction heading towards Mwatate direction,” the police report said.

“Upon reaching Josa area, the vehicle veered off the road and rolled several times before landing into a ditch about 100 metres from the road.”

According to a witness report, 10 people died on the spot, including nine female adults and one male adult.

Out of that number of fatalities, five bodies had already been positively identified by the time of this publication.

Seventeen adults sustained serious injuries and one sustained minor injuries while three children and one infant also got seriously injured.

Victims were rushed to Mwatate Sub County Hospital and Moi Level 5 Hospital for emergency treatment.


The accident is similar to one that happened in November 2022 involving a school bus ferrying teachers who were also in mourning that also lost control and rolled several times before killing several people.

Police advised motorists unfamiliar with that route to be more cautious, especially while approaching the Josa area, which is considered a black spot.