The Modern Coast Company issued a statement on Monday, July 25, after complaints about the state of one of their buses that was involved in an accident back in 2016 emerged.

Speaking to the media, Gerald Fredrick, an employee of the company dismissed claims that the bus registered under plate number KCF614U was unroadworthy.

He stated that the 45-seater bus had undergone due maintenance checks as demanded by company policy and was safe to be on the road.

“Those are unfounded allegations because people just talk. From our records, it was a good bus and it did not have any issues by the time it was getting on the road,” he reiterated.

Among the complaints traced down to July 2016 include the bus breaking down, being driven recklessly, missing rear lights and being involved in another accident.

“The second one was KCF 614U, it hit a stationery truck on the Mombasa-Malindi Highway – one fatality in the driver. The bus was refurbrished and is back on the road,” Anjryo Ananda wrote on December 31, 2017.

“KCF 614U Malindi  bound bus has broken  down and we are sruck on the way,” wrote Andrew Maranga while Terris Jumba opined that,”KCF614U, this bus should not be on the road.”

In addition, the bus revealed that at the time of its departure, the 45-seater was not fully booked.

“From our records, 39 passengers had booked their travel but only 34 showed up. The total occupants of the bus when it left the station was 36 – including the driver and conductor,” he stated.

In addition, he stated that the accident may have claimed other lives  apart from those in the bus, stating that 33 were confirmed dead, while six were receiving treatment in hospital.

He added that the number could be higher as they were not privy to information about survivors who were admitted to the Intensive Care Units (ICU).

Earlier, the logistics company had asked for forgiveness from the families of the deceased and survivors of the crash. They noted that investigations had been launched to establish the cause.

“We ask heavenly father that victim’s families are blessed with compassion and patience with us. We believe that you can hear our plea asking for forgiveness and asking for renewed our lives back as we were.

“Father everything happens for a reason but you are the only one who knows of them so farther we pray for all the victims that had been in any kind of accidents,” the statement read in part.

A cross section of leaders have sent their condolences to those who lost their loved ones in tragedy, including Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga.

“To those still fighting for their lives in hospital, we pray that they get a speedy recovery and
we thank the medical personnel attending to them. This is a difficult moment for these
families and our campaign prays for them to get comfort and fortitude,”

“We appeal to all motorists to exercise caution and observe the highway code while out on
the road. May God grant comfort and strength to all those affected. We are praying for you,” read part of a statement signed by Prof Makau Mutua.