It has now emerged that the driver in the Mwingi bus tragedy was a victim of pressure from some impatient passengers who insisted that they were getting late.
A top source which spoke to Sonko News reporters in Mwingi revealed that the driver had waited for more than 2 hours with the hope that the water would reduce so that they could cross peacefully.
Further, the passengers had seen two more vehicles cross the accident scene and wondered why their own driver was reluctant to do the same.
As a result, some passengers who could not stomach camping there and being late insisted that they had to cross with others saying twendeni tu Mungu yuko.
“One of the survivors said the passengers are the ones who insisted, the driver told them he is not familiar with the bridge but wakakataa ati they are being late.” Said a source.
“We are told the driver waited for more than 2 hours for the water to subside. The passengers became impatient bcoz they were getting late for the wedding. They put pressure on the driver and the driver gave in at last. Now u see what happened! Siku ikifika imefika. May their souls dance with the angels in Heaven.” Added the source.
Another source continued: “Yes, because they were seeing other vehicles cross, he had refused to cross and waited for more than 2hours but am sure the ladies pressured him. Haki, sometimes let’s not blame the driver,that pressure from passengers n especially women, waaaaaaaaa!!!!!”
“Just imagine… especially these religious people can abuse religion sana ,they will be like.” twendeni mungu atatusaidi. Yelling at him why other vehicles were Crossing but him having kept them waiting for more than 2hrs.”
More than 20 people have so far died after a bus carrying more than 30 people drowned in River Enziu in Mwingi within the county of Kitui.
According to a video in possession of Sonko News, the bus was trying to maneuver its way out of a swollen river before it plunged into the water.
The bus then started drowning with only one person managing to get out of the window as the others struggled inside it helplessly.
Despite the pressure from the passengers pushing the driver to cross the dangerous water, there are Kenyans who felt that he should have waited longer and made independent decisions without giving in to external pressures. This is how they reacted:
“I must say that I’m extremely heartbroken to an extent that I feel like literally punishing some drivers. What’s wrong with you?! I had watched a clip earlier today of a matatu going down this hostile water and even after all the efforts made to prevent further incidents via social media, some one is still deaf and blind to see the dangers involved by risking to cross this place. Sincerely hawa drivers plus the people whom I’m seeing trying to guide them here be charged. This is ignorance of the highest order.”
“This is what happens when a driver makes poor risk assessments on the road. One of reasons for this is when you pay out money to receive DL without attending for classroom trainings in order to cut costs. I always believe there’s a difference between a driver who attended real classes and another one who did it practically through friends and subsequently paid some little cash only to receive driving licence. These 2 drivers can never make same judgements on the road.Let’s be careful on the roads, we all have one life to live.”
“Sad state of affairs. Basic driver safety states that DO NOT attempt to cross a flooded road however low the water may seem. But then again, this is Kenya. A careless driver risked peoples life and everyone stood by.”
“Careless drivers have always risked lives of passengers. So unfortunately in a blink of an eye lives were lost. The passengers too need to learn to stand for themselves and voice out. Unfortunately this is Kenya where discuss start after tragedy and after few days all will be forgotten. May their souls rest in peace.”
“What’s the logic behind this type of bridges? Why don’t we have better bridges that allow people to pass even during rains? May the departed rest in eternal peace. ?”
“This is sad, very sad indeed. What assessment did the driver make cos he hesitated before plugging the bus into the river. He may have been urged to proceed by the passengers but the final decision was his as he must have known his vehicle very well.This is a tragedy that resulted from very poor decision making on the part of the driver.”
RELATED STORY:Tulimkataza Asipite Hapo Akasema Yeye Ni Expert- Survivor Of Mwingi Bus Tragedy
