Story by Ian Obadha and Photos by Ondari Ogega

Accident and Emergency services at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) responded promptly following a road traffic accident that occurred at the Kondigo area along the Kisian–Bondo Road, involving a lorry and a 14-seater matatu.
The crash, which happened on a busy section of the road, left several passengers injured. Survivors were rushed to JOOTRH, where the Accident and Emergency team swiftly mobilised to receive and stabilise them. On arrival, emergency personnel deployed stretchers, coordinated medical staff, and ensured that all victims received immediate medical attention.
A total of 14 victims were received at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit. Of these, 10 were admitted for further observation and treatment, while others were managed on an outpatient basis. Three of the victims were female. The patients’ ages ranged from 19 to 84 years. The oldest victim, an 84-year-old, sustained an open fracture to the lower limb and was scheduled for surgery. Hospital officials noted that the majority of the injuries involved fractures to the lower limbs.
Doctors continue to conduct further assessments as part of ongoing patient management. Trauma series examinations and imaging have been carried out on all the affected patients, with specialist reviews currently underway. According to the hospital, none of the victims is in critical condition, all are stable, breathing on room air, and no fatalities have been recorded from the accident.
One of the survivors, Fredrick Otieno, 43, who was travelling from Bondo to Kisumu to seek Social Health Authority (SHA) services, recounted that the lorry lost control while descending a slope and collided head-on with the matatu. He added that the matatu driver had attempted to avoid hitting a stray cow that had emerged from a feeder road moments before the impact. Otieno sustained ruptured blood vessels on his lower left limb and is receiving treatment at the facility.
JOOTRH confirmed that all patients have been positively identified, and most of their relatives have already arrived at the hospital.
In response to the incident and the anticipated increase in travel during the festive season, JOOTRH has placed its Accident and Emergency response team on high alert. The hospital remains on standby to handle any additional emergencies and casualties that may arise.
The hospital extended its sympathies to those affected and wished the injured a speedy recovery, while urging motorists to exercise caution on the roads, especially during the busy holiday period, to help prevent accidents and loss of life.