Jotham Murumba Wanjala appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Evelyn Makungu Onzere in Nyando and entered a plea of not guilty to twelve criminal counts arising from the August 7 bus accident in Awasi, Kisumu County.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions outlined the charges: two counts of causing death by dangerous driving under Section 46 of the Traffic Act and ten counts of driving without due care and attention under Section 49(1).

Prosecution counsel Douglas Moseti told the court that Wanjala was travelling at excessive speed, lost control of the vehicle and veered off the Ahero–Awasi Highway, causing the fatalities and injuries.

The crash occurred in the Boya area of Nyando Sub‑County on the busy Ahero–Awasi Highway, resulting in the deaths of two Technical University of Mombasa students and injuries to ten other passengers.

Following the plea, Magistrate Onzere set bail at Sh500,000, without offering an alternative cash bail option, and ordered the matter to be mentioned again on 5 November 2026 for further directions.

Under Kenyan law the allegations remain unproven and the accused retains the presumption of innocence until a verdict is delivered in court.