Benard Shitiabayi, the manager of the Western Crossroads Sacco and Cleophas Shimanyula, the owner of the bus that claimed 56 lives in a tragic accident will now remain in police custody at Londiani Police Station for seven days. Samuel Wahome, the Chief Magistrate in the court in Molo made his ruling after the police requested for more time to complete investigations as to what led to the accident, Wednesday morning.
The two were arrested the evening of the accident after it emerged that the accident was as a result of traffic irregularities. According to the Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinnet, the bus was overloaded, speeding and had neither safety belts nor the license to operate at night.
Speaking at the NTSA press conference, Boinnet ordered for investigations for all officers manning roadblocks on that route and said any officer found culpable will face serious charges.
The Director Of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji in a statement implied that not only police officers will face the wrath. The DPP ordered the Inspector General Of Police Boinnet to extend investigations into all government agencies responsible for road safety.
“I hereby direct that you cause investigation into the matter to determine the persons who may have, through acts of commission or omission, contributed either directly or indirectly into the occurrence of the same.”
DPP Noordin Haji has directed Inspector General of @NPSOfficial_KE Joseph Boinett to investigate and determine persons responsible for Fort Ternan accident in which 56 innocent Kenyans lost their lives yesterday. @matundura78 #KerichoAccidentInvestigations pic.twitter.com/wJwRFjvXCr
— ODPP_KE (@ODPP_KE) October 11, 2018
The DPP also instructed the DPP to submit the report of the investigation to his office for what he called ‘appropriate direction.’
“Once the investigation is complete do forward the file to is immediately for appropriate direction.” the statement read.