The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has halted the Modern Coast bus operations pending investigations into the Tharaka Nithi accident that has so far claimed thirty-four lives.
Through a press statement, NTSA Director General George Njau stated that the suspension applies to all the thirty-one vehicles belonging to the company operating on various routes.
“Following a fatal road crash that occurred on Sunday at the Nithi bridge in Tharaka Nithi county that has since claimed the lives of 34 passengers, the authority hereby halts the operations of Modern Coast Express Limited,” read part of the statement.
The routes affected are Nairobi-Mombasa, Mombasa-Mtwapa-Kilifi-Malindi-Witu-Mpeketoni-Lamu, Nairobi-Nakuru, Kisumu-Kakamega-Busia, Nairobi-Nakuru-Kisumu-Eldoret-Malaba, Nairobi-Narok-Kisii-Homabay-Migori-Isibania, Mombasa-Makindu-Wote-Kitui-Machakos and Nairobi-Thika-Embu-Meru-Maua.
The driver of the ill-fated bus lost control of the bus before it went off the rail guard and finally plunging into River Nithi on the Meru-Mombasa highway.
“The bus must have developed brake failure because it was moving at a very high speed when the accident happened,” said a witness.
“We condole with the families of those who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident and wish those receiving treatment in hospital quick recovery,” Njao added.
