Jacobeth Jeptoo, 22, was among the first to arrive at the crash site with her mother, Magdalene Bitok. She revealed that one of the victims survived for 30 minutes but died despite her efforts.
She said the person showed signs of life and could have survived but passed away in her arms, leaving her devastated. Jeptoo described the scene as chaotic.
She said four people died instantly, while two others were initially alive.
One raised his hand, and another died after five minutes.
Using the ABC protocol, she noticed one victim had internal bleeding that later became visible from the mouth, nose, and ears.
Despite still being a student at Kendu Adventist School of Medical Sciences and yet to sit her final exams, Jeptoo acted without hesitation.
She said she did not know any of the victims but helped each patient as if they were her own family.
The tragedy, she added, highlights the urgent need for basic first-aid and disaster response skills among ordinary Kenyans.
Jeptoo also called for better training and equipment for community health promoters.
She explained that while CHPs came to help, they had no emergency supplies, and the gloves and masks she provided were her own.
With proper tools, she noted, local responders could save lives before professional teams arrive.
Both mother and daughter said the experience left them shaken.
Jeptoo’s mother said she stayed at the scene of the crash until the bodies were removed and has not slept properly since.
Jeptoo also expressed condolences to the victims’ families, a gesture widely praised on social media for its compassion.