50 people dead in bus crash in western Kenya

The wrecked bus is seen at the scene of a bus crash near Kericho in western Kenya Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. An official says at least 50 people have died after the bus they were traveling in left the road, rolled down a slope and crashed near the western Kenyan town of Kericho. (Associated Press)

NAIROBI, Kenya — An official says 50 people have died after the bus they were traveling in left the road, rolled down a slope and crashed in the western Kenyan town of Kericho.

Rift Valley regional police boss Francis Munyambu said survivors from the bus that was headed from Nairobi to western town of Kakamega were receiving treatment at local hospitals. The accident happened around 4 a.m. on Wednesday.

Kenya has struggled to reduce the rising number of road accidents as more people acquire vehicles in the country's growing middle class.

In 2013, the government re-introduced breathalyzers, but had to remove them again after court orders barred police from charging drivers using readings from the devices as evidence.

According to government statistics, around 3,000 Kenyans die every year in road accidents.