Chavakali Boys bus accident: Parents question decision to release students at night

The wreckage of the Easy Coach Bus,  which was ferrying students from Chavakali Boys High school to Nairobi for the April holiday break, before overturning at the Mamboleo Junction in Kisumu County stands as a stark reminder of the perilous journey that ended in tragedy. 

Among the casualties was 17-year-old Joseph Maduli who died on the spot, while numerous others sustained injuries. The incident occurred at 11:35pm.

As the journey commenced from Chavakali to Nairobi, parents, including Maduli's family, expressed concern over the unusual decision to release students at night.

"Shule iliamua watravel usiku jambo ambalo halijawai kufanyika," the deceased's mother, Mary Wangari Gioche, said.

"As parents we have so many questions," Diana Gichengo, a family member said.

Mary, like many other parents, could not find sleep  as she grew concerned over her son's safety.

"I didn't sleep because I knew he was travelling at night. I was estimating the time he'd arrive in the morning," she said.

News of the accident began circulating online around midnight, yet Mary could not confirm her son's status until morning.

She criticized  the school's management for their communication lapse. With dawn's arrival and no sign of their son, they dispatched a friend in Kisumu to visit hospitals for information on his whereabouts.

"Parents on Whatsapp groups were saying that some buses had arrived with their children whom they went to receive. Students who escaped with minor injuries called their parents informing them of the same but my son never called," said Mary.  

Maduli, a promising form four student who aspired  to become a pilot, and a  basketball enthusiast, saw his dreams cut short by the accident.

His body  was transferred to Jaramogi Teaching and Referral Mortuary, with plans underway to transfer him to Nairobi for burial.

Two other students sustained severe injuries and are  hospitalized at avenue hospital, Kisumu, while 32 others continue to receive treatment at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.