Shocking Details of 72-Year-Old Driver of Ill-Fated Bus that Killed 56 People Emerge

Survivors of the ill-fated Homeboyz bus that claimed the lives of 56 Kenyans during a dawn accident in Kericho on Wednesday have revealed shocking details of their jinxed journey from Nairobi.

Daily Nation reports that the driver of the 62-seater was a 72-year-old man only identified as Lucas.

Survivors say their journey from the bus station began well but things changed when they reached Westlands area, when the driver received a call and was instructed to return to the central business district to pick more passengers from a different bus.

“The vehicle had hardly left the city when the driver was instructed to make a U-turn and go for more passengers being transferred from another bus,” read part of the story by Nation.

They went back and picked the travelers, with those who missed seats in the bus being asked to seat on soda crates. The bus was full to capacity with both passengers and luggage.

As soon as they passed Naivasha, just over an hour after midnight, Lucas began over-speeding and some passengers voiced complaints over the manner in which the bus was being steered.

Their complaints fell on deaf ears as arrogant bus crew dismissed them, asking them to buy their own cars if they disliked the services offered by the bus company.

Reports also indicate the elderly driver may have been fatigued or may have fallen asleep while driving since he had not taken a rest the entire day.

Reports indicate Lucas was driving through the day from Kisumu to Nairobi and arrived at around 6pm only to embark on a return journey less than four hours later. 

He had reportedly worked with the bus company for seven years and was very familiar with the route. Authorities said the bus was operating illegally since it did not have a license for night travel.

The owner of the bus, Bernard Ishindu Shitiabayi, was arrested on Wednesday night in Kakamega and will be charged in court.