A bus carrying Tanzanian Members of Parliament to the 14th East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Games in Mombasa, Kenya, was involved in a road accident in the early hours of Friday, December 6.
The incident occurred in the Mbande area of Dodoma, Tanzania, around 2 a.m., after the bus reportedly lost control and collided head-on with an oncoming lorry. Dodoma Regional Police Commander George Katabazi stated that the crash was caused by the bus driver’s attempt to overtake another vehicle on a narrow road, ignoring a traffic alert. The driver has been arrested.
Thankfully, no fatalities were reported. Injured passengers were rushed to the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma, where they are receiving treatment and are reported to be in stable condition. Commander Katabazi has called on motorists to exercise heightened caution during the festive season to prevent accidents and ensure public safety.
Confirming the incident, Kenya’s National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula addressed journalists at the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Station, stating: “One bus carrying some of our colleagues from Tanzania was involved in an accident. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but some injuries have been reported. The injured are receiving medical attention.” Wetangula assured the public that updates would be shared once the delegation reaches Mombasa.
The EALA Games, an annual event aimed at fostering regional integration through sports, officially begin on Saturday, December 7, at the iconic Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa. Kenyan President William Ruto will preside over the opening ceremony. The games feature a variety of sports disciplines, including football, netball, athletics, tug-of-war, volleyball, basketball, and darts.
On Thursday, the steering committee, led by Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka, inspected the sports venues, including Mbaraki Stadium, Mombasa Sports Club, and Aga Khan Academy. Musyoka expressed confidence in Kenya’s readiness to host the event, noting that only minor adjustments remained.
The EALA Games are established under Article 49 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, emphasizing collaboration among member states through sports and cultural exchange.
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