Chaos in Vihiga as Students Torch Vehicle Following Deadly School Accident

Chaos erupted on Friday morning of June 19, 2026, on Chavakali-Kapsabet Road in Vihiga County when an irate group of students and residents burnt a private Toyota Hiace van after a road accident that claimed the lives of a learner and a boda boda rider at St Francis Kaptik Secondary School.

According to reports, the road accident took place as the learners were moving to school, leaving one of them dead alongside a rider, while others were seriously injured.

Reports indicate that a Toyota Hiace van reportedly collided with a motorcycle carrying some of the learners as the driver tried to overtake another motorist.

A learner on board the boda boda died instantly, while other students who survived sustained injuries and were taken to Kaimosi Friends Mission Hospital for treatment.

Angry Students Set Van on Fire Following Accident

Witnesses reported heightened tensions just moments after the accident when people confronted the driver regarding the causes of the accident.

Also Read:Matatu Overturns With Passengers on Board in Night Accident

Tension soon got out of hand, causing total destruction of the involved vehicle.

The private vehicle was destroyed by the irate mob and subsequently set on fire, leaving it burnt beyond recognition.

This incident created tension in the area since people were irritated by what they perceived as frequent instances of irresponsible driving on the highway.

The angry mob later closed parts of the Chavakali-Kapsabet Road, thereby causing congestion in the key road linking parts of Western Kenya and the Rift Valley regions.

The police came to the scene to cool down the tension and resume traffic flow while conducting investigations on the accident.

Tragic School Incident Occurs Amidst Ongoing Grieving Process

The recent road incident has worsened the grieving process ongoing at St Francis Kaptik Secondary School after a similar road accident claimed some lives last year.

Also Read: Autopsy Reveals Cause of Death of Bodies Found in Mwingi

Just this February, three students of the same school and a boda boda rider lost their lives in another road crash within the vicinity of the school’s entrance.

With the repeated accidents, calls for road safety along the Chavakali-Kapsabet road corridor have been renewed as the locals have called on drivers to be more cautious when using the route.

Statistics on road safety continue to emphasize the seriousness of the problem in Kenya.

The statistics provided by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) reveal that in the first half of 2026, the total number of road crash fatalities stood at 2,150, marking a 11% increase in comparison to 2025 during the same period.

Most of those who lost their lives were pedestrians, with 836 fatalities, followed by motorcyclists, and 188 drivers lost their lives.

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The image shows crime scene tape
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