Sh13.5m raised for burial of Webuye 16 who died in road crash

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka at Sipala Secondary School on Saturday /HILTON OTENYO

FAMILIES of victims of the Webuye road accident that claimed 16 lives on Monday have received Sh13.5 million to help cover funeral expenses and medical bills.

The money was raised during a harambee presided over by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula at Sipala Secondary School in Webuye East constituency on Saturday.

The contributions included Sh7.5 million from President William Ruto, delivered by the Speaker, and Sh2 million raised by Wetang’ula together with a group of MPs.

Wetang’ula also announced that an inter-denominational memorial service for the victims would be held on Monday in Webuye town.

“We have planned an inter-denominational service for the victims before providing vehicles to ferry the bodies of their loved ones to their respective homes for burial,” Wetang’ula said during the event.

He said leaders and residents were still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy, particularly one family that lost six members in the accident.

Wetang’ula thanked President Ruto for the support, adding that the community would continue standing with the affected families during the difficult period.

“Since independence, we have not witnessed such a tragic accident in this county where such a large number of people lost their lives at once,” he said.

“When the accident happened, I put aside my duties in the National Assembly and travelled to Webuye with MPs to condole with the families and offer our support.”

He said leaders from the region and beyond had set aside their political differences to support the bereaved families.

Wetang’ula revealed that he had allocated time in the National Assembly for MPs to mourn the victims and discuss measures to address rising road carnage caused by long-distance trucks along the Eldoret–Malaba highway.

He added that he had also held discussions with the Roads cabinet secretary on immediate interventions to reduce accidents and save lives.

“We agreed with the CS that bumps be erected along the highway, especially at accident-prone areas,” he said.

Senate Majority Chief Whip David Wakoli said more lives could have been saved if Webuye Subcounty Hospital had been better equipped to handle emergencies.

“Webuye hospital had no functioning ambulance to respond effectively after the tragic accident,” Wakoli claimed.

However, Governor Kenneth Lusaka, who was present at the event, dismissed the allegations as untrue.

Lusaka said the county government had invested resources in the facility because of its proximity to the busy highway, which often receives accident victims first.

“The ambulances in various hospitals in the county are those I bought during my first term as governor. It is unfair to blame me and leave out the one who took over from me,” he said.

He added that the county government would cover hospital and mortuary bills for the accident victims.

MP Nabii Nabwera said funds from the National Infrastructure Fund, which came into effect last week, would help accelerate plans to expand the highway into a dual carriageway to reduce accidents.

“The fund will be a game changer for the country as it will finance the construction of new roads and completion of stalled projects, as well as support other infrastructural development,” he said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

The fundraiser for victims of the Webuye road accident highlights both the scale of the tragedy and the reliance on community mobilisation to support affected families. Political leaders used the event to show solidarity and offer financial assistance, but the discussions also exposed wider concerns about road safety and emergency preparedness along the Eldoret–Malaba highway. Claims about inadequate emergency response at Webuye hospital and calls for infrastructural changes, including bumps and expansion of the highway, point to systemic challenges in managing frequent accidents on the busy transport corridor. The tragedy is likely to renew pressure on authorities to strengthen road safety enforcement and improve emergency response systems.