George Onyango Riako, driver of the Easy Coach bus that killed a student from Chavakali Boys High School and left nine others injured on Monday, April 1, 2024 - has been charged.

Appearing before Winam Law Court Principal Magistrate D.K Mtai on Thursday, April 18, 2024, Onyango pleaded not guilty to 10 counts and was released on a Ksh200,000 cash bail or an alternative Ksh500,000 bond.

The court heard that the accused was speeding when the accident happened. He applied emergency breaks which caused the vehicle to swerve and land on the side. Student Joseph Mwadulo was killed in the accident.

Onyango's lawyer pleaded for lenient bail or bond terms, noting that his client is not a flight risk and would willingly appear in court for hearing when required.

The court directed the prosecution to furnish Onyango's lawyer with witness statements ahead of mentioning on April 25, 2024.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is expected to include the witness statements of 23 more students who were aboard the ill-fated bus.

On the fateful night, the deceased student died on the spot and was rushed to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral Hospital in Kisumu. The other injured students were rushed to nearby hospitals and dispensaries for treatment.

Onyango was missing from the accident scene immediately after the accident.