Driver of ill-fated tanker that rammed into matatus, killing 13 people denies all charges

Salat Gulie Maalim, the driver of the ill-fated lorry that reportedly caused an accident that claimed the lives of 13 people was on Wednesday, November 20 arraigned before a court in Kakamega.

Maalim denied all the 18 counts of charges that included driving carelessly causing deaths, driving carelessly causing permanent injuries to people, and driving a vehicle that had not been inspected.

Salat Gulie Maalim, the driver of the ill-fated tanker that rammed into two matatus, killing 13 people and injuring 20 others, has denied all the 18 charges preferred against him by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Consequently, Chief Magistrate James Masiga released the driver on a bond of KSh100,000 or an alternative of KSh50,000 cash bail.

The case will be mentioned on January 22, 2025.

Ten (10) people died on the spot while 20 others were seriously injured after a tanker, being driven by Maalim, rammed into two PSV matatus at Iguhu/Yala Bridge area, along the Kakamega-Kisumu Road on Wednesday, November 13.

Three more people succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at different hospitals within Kakamega County.

***After the accident, police said Salat Gulie Maalim escaped from the scene.***

The accident occurred at around 6 pm when the Mercedes Benz Tanker (Reg No. KAS 537/ZC 6451), being driven from Kisumu towards Kakamega direction, hit a bump, lost control and veered to the right side of the road.

The tanker, a police report seen by TV47 Digital says, rammed into two vehicles; a Toyota Matatu of Mitrans Sacco and a Toyota Matatu of Transiline Sacco which was carrying 14 Passengers.

“The Matatus were being driven from Kakamega heading towards Kisumu direction. Due to the impact, 10 people died on the spot and 20 people were injured,” the report says.