Osiri Bridge crash: Several feared dead as rescue teams search river in Migori

Several people are feared dead and others remain unaccounted for after a lorry carrying hawkers and pedestrians plunged into a river at Osiri Bridge in Migori County.

The crash happened on Wednesday night, October 7, along the Osiri-Kalangi route in Nyatike Sub-County.

Early reports indicated that the lorry lost control before leaving the road and plunging into the river.

The number of people who died or remain missing had not been officially established by Thursday morning as rescue and recovery efforts continued.

Several survivors were injured and taken to St Joseph Mission Hospital in Migori for treatment.

The crash has left families waiting for answers as rescuers work to establish how many people were in the lorry and whether anyone remains trapped in or around the wreckage.

Families wait for news

Images and footage from the scene showed the overturned lorry and personal belongings scattered around the crash site.

Some passengers were reportedly trapped, while others could not immediately be accounted for.

The uncertainty has added to the distress of relatives who gathered at the hospital as injured victims were brought in for treatment.

The circumstances that caused the lorry to leave the road had not been independently established by Thursday morning.

Authorities are expected to establish whether the crash was linked to the vehicle, road conditions, driving behaviour or other factors.

MP calls for Osiri Bridge works to be fast-tracked

Uriri MP Mark Nyamita has called for government authorities to speed up work on the bridge, arguing that residents who depend on the route need a safer crossing.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic accident reported last night at Osiri Bridge along River Migori/Kuja, involving a lorry carrying hawkers and pedestrians,” Nyamita said.

He sent condolences to families who may have lost relatives and wished those in hospital a quick recovery.

Nyamita also urged authorities to expedite construction works at the crossing.

The call is significant because bridge construction at Osiri is already listed in Migori County’s development plans. The county’s 2023–2027 Integrated Development Plan includes construction of bridges at Osiri and Nyandema, while its infrastructure plans also identify the Osiri area for bridge and footbridge works.

The latest crash is therefore likely to renew questions about the status of those planned works and the safety of residents who use the route.

Road safety concerns grow

The Migori crash comes days after another deadly road accident claimed 17 lives at Mlima Kiu near Salama in Makueni County.

In that crash, police said a lorry driver attempting to overtake another truck lost control and collided with several vehicles, including a matatu carrying Catholic pilgrims.

The Salama tragedy prompted the National Police Service to order increased traffic enforcement across the country, with officers told to focus on dangerous driving and other traffic violations.

The two incidents have also come amid renewed concern over Kenya’s road safety record.

Government Spokesperson Charles Owino said on October 5 that 9,002 people had died in road crashes so far in 2026, citing police data.

That figure should not be confused with the latest NTSA statistics.

NTSA data showed 3,995 people had died in road crashes between January 1 and October 4, an average of about 14 deaths a day. Pedestrians accounted for 1,490 of those deaths, while motorcyclists accounted for 1,061. Passengers accounted for 662 deaths.

The differing figures reflect different datasets and reporting systems, and should not be presented as though they are the same NTSA count.

NTSA has also linked crashes to a combination of road-user behaviour, vehicle condition and road infrastructure. The authority has identified more than 270 crash black spots across the country.

For families in Osiri, however, the immediate concern is much closer to home: finding those who may still be missing and establishing the full toll of Wednesday night’s crash.

Until authorities complete the recovery operation and formally confirm the casualties, the exact death toll remains unknown.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.