Ten families have been plunged into sudden mourning after a horrific road crash claimed the lives of their loved ones late Sunday evening, turning a day of celebration into a national tragedy.

The victims, who were reportedly returning from a wedding ceremony, died on the spot when their private van collided with heavy commercial vehicles at Chabera, along the busy Kisii-Kisumu Highway. The incident, which occurred in Rachuonyo East Sub-County, serves as a grim reminder of the perils on our roads as the festive season approaches.

A Scene of Carnage

Witnesses at the scene described a harrowing sight. The impact of the multi-vehicle crash was so severe that the private van was reduced to a mangled wreck of twisted metal, with its tyres deflated and chassis crushed beyond recognition. Police officers who responded to the distress calls confirmed the fatalities, noting the sheer force of the collision left no chance for survival for the ten occupants.

According to initial reports corroborated by Citizen TV, the accident involved three vehicles:

• Two heavy commercial lorries.
• One private van (carrying the wedding guests).

The 'Blackspot' Menace

The Chabera section of the Kisii-Kisumu Highway is a notorious blackspot that has claimed numerous lives in the past. Residents have often raised concerns regarding the speed at which heavy commercial vehicles navigate the winding descent near the border of Homa Bay and Kisii counties.

While investigations are currently underway to establish the precise cause of the crash—whether mechanical failure or human error—the tragedy highlights the urgent need for caution. As Kenyans travel for December holidays, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) continues to urge motorists to exercise extreme vigilance.

For the families in Homa Bay, what began as a union of love has ended in a heartbreaking loss that will be felt across the region for years to come.