A family in Busia County is mourning the sudden loss of their child after a disturbing road incident that has also left many in the community deeply angered.
The tragedy happened on the Butula–Bumala road when a Climax Company bus, registration number KCK 979K, was linked to the death of a student, Denis Owino.
Eyewitnesses say Denis was pushed out of the moving bus by the conductor and was run over instantly, ending his young life in a manner that many residents describe as both painful and unjust.
The fatal incident happened early Friday morning as Denis boarded the bus to school.
Witnesses report that a disagreement between the boy and the conductor quickly turned into a nightmare. The conductor allegedly shoved Denis out of the vehicle before it had fully stopped.
The bus then ran over him, killing him on the spot. For his family, neighbors, and school community, this was not an unfortunate accident but outright negligence and recklessness that could have been avoided.
Relatives described Denis as a bright and disciplined child who left home that morning to attend his classes.
They now say his life was cut short because of carelessness. One relative said with grief that the conductor had no regard for the safety of the boy, and his push directly caused the fatal moment.
For many who witnessed the incident, the behavior of the conductor and the decision of the driver to keep moving without checking what had happened only added more pain to an already tragic event.
This death has reignited anger over the way public service vehicles operate in Busia County and across the country.
Residents claim that Climax Company buses have in the past been linked to reckless driving, mistreatment of passengers, and ignoring road safety rules.
Despite numerous complaints, little has been done by authorities to correct these issues. The loss of a schoolboy, however, has sparked louder calls for accountability.
Parents, teachers, and community leaders are now demanding justice, warning that silence will only encourage further disregard for passenger safety.
A passenger on board the bus gave a chilling testimony about the sequence of events, stating that Denis was told to get off before the bus had completely stopped. The conductor then forced him out, and in a matter of seconds, the bus crushed him under its rear wheels.
This account has strengthened demands for both the driver and conductor to be charged and for investigations into the entire company’s operations.
Police officers have confirmed that the matter has been reported. But despite this, many residents remain doubtful that justice will be served. They say similar cases involving rogue buses and matatus have often been ignored or dragged out until families give up.
Activists are now urging the National Transport and Safety Authority to suspend the license of Climax Company until full investigations are concluded. They argue that powerful connections and lack of firm enforcement have allowed such companies to continue putting lives at risk.
For Denis’ family, nothing can erase the pain of losing a child who left home for school and never returned. Their only hope now is that authorities act firmly so that justice is not denied and that no other family suffers the same fate.
The tragedy has once again raised the urgent need for stricter measures to protect passengers, especially children, from reckless and negligent practices on Kenya’s roads.
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