Bus ferrying Tanzanian MPs to Mombasa for EALA games involved in accident

A bus ferrying Tanzania Members of Parliament to the 14th edition of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Games in Mombasa was involved in a road accident on Friday morning.

While the exact details of the incident remain unclear, Kenya’s National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has confirmed that no fatalities occurred.

Addressing journalists at the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Station, Wetangula revealed that some of the legislators sustained various injuries during the incident.

"One bus carrying some of our colleagues from Tanzania was involved in an accident. We have no fatalities but some injuries," he said, adding that the injured MPs have been rushed to hospital and are receiving treatment.

The Speaker further added that a more comprehensive report on the incident will be available later.

"You will get better information once we get to Mombasa. The team of leaders who are involved in the management of the games will be able to appraise you and we wish a quick recovery to those who have sustained various injuries," he stated.

On Thursday, the steering committee, led by Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka ‘Kawaya,’ inspected the facilities designated for the games.

The venues include: Mbaraki Stadium (Athletics, soccer, and tug-of-war), Mombasa Sports Club (Additional soccer matches), and the Aga Khan Academy (Indoor games).

Musyoka expressed confidence in Kenya’s preparedness, noting that most venues were ready, with minor final touches underway.

The games will officially open on Saturday, December 7, at Mama Ngina Waterfront, with President William Ruto presiding over the event.

The games, scheduled to run till December 18, 2024, were first established by a resolution of the 4th East African Community (EAC) Bureau of Speakers held in 2009.

The meeting resolved to hold the Inter-Parliamentary Games for East Africa Community partner states on an annual, rotational basis with the aim of fostering relations between the East African Community Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the parliaments of the East African Community region.

The Parliaments of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Somalia are all expected to be in attendance.