At least six students from the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) are feared dead after a bus carrying them to the burial of their fellow student, Elvis Otieno, popularly known as “Beast,” was involved in a tragic road accident at Awasi in Kisumu County.
Several other students sustained injuries in the crash, which occurred on Friday as the group travelled from Mombasa to western Kenya to escort their late colleague to his final resting place. Emergency responders, police officers and members of the public rushed to the scene to rescue those trapped in the wreckage before the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
By the time of publication, authorities had not released an official final death toll or confirmed the identities of all the victims, with rescue operations and casualty verification still underway.
The students were travelling to attend the burial of Elvis “Beast” Otieno, a former president of the Technical University of Mombasa Students Association (TUMSA), whose death had already plunged the university into mourning.
Otieno died on July 20, 2026, after reportedly suffering an epileptic attack and collapsing during a meeting with fellow students in Mombasa. His passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from students, alumni and university leaders, many of whom described him as an influential student leader.
Before the journey, fellow students had organised transport to accompany his body to his home for burial, making Friday’s accident an even greater tragedy for the university community.
Images and videos shared from the accident scene showed the bus extensively damaged as emergency personnel and residents worked together to rescue survivors. Several students were seen receiving first aid before being transferred to health facilities.
Police officers visited the scene and launched investigations to establish the circumstances that led to the crash. Authorities are expected to inspect the vehicle and interview witnesses as part of efforts to determine the cause of the accident.
Officials have urged the public to avoid speculation as investigators continue gathering evidence and families await confirmation of the identities of those who died and those receiving treatment.
The latest tragedy has sparked an outpouring of grief across the country, with students, alumni and leaders expressing condolences to the affected families and the Technical University of Mombasa community.
As investigations continue, the university community now faces the painful reality of mourning not only the loss of Elvis “Beast” Otieno but also the students who lost their lives while travelling to honour him. Authorities are expected to provide updated casualty figures and further details once the identification process and investigations are complete.
