At least 22 people have been killed and dozens others seriously injured when two buses they were traveling in collided overnight in southwest Kenya, eyewitnesses told Xinhua on Wednesday.

They said that the accident occurred at Saibei, about 20 km from Narok town near Masai Mara National Park, the country's most famous tourist destination.

The witnesses said the accident involved a bus christened Philomena which was ferrying passengers from Kisii in western Kenya and another one, Nyamira Express, which was moving in the opposite direction.

"At least 22 people died on Tuesday night involving two buses which were traveling in opposite directions. Nyamira Express bus was traveling from Nairobi to Kisii while Philomena Bus was heading to Nairobi," said Leonard Ruto, an eyewitness.

According to Ruto, 19 people died on the spot, three succumbed to injuries at hospital while 47 survived with serious injuries. " Among those who survived, four are in critical condition. I have seen emergency crew who have arrived at the scene. There are plans to transfer some of the injured for specialized treatment in Nairobi," Ruto said.

Narok police chief Charles Okweya confirmed the accident, saying it occurred on Tuesday at around 11:00 p.m. local time ( 2000 GMT), adding that 19 passengers in the Philomena bus and three on Nyamira Express died on the spot.

Road accidents are common in the Kenyan roads due to poor road networks and other reasons. The police have blamed the high rate of accidents on recklessness, speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol by both private and public service vehicle drivers.

(Xinhua News Agency July 22, 2009)