At least 5 killed after truck rams matatu at Kikopey on Nairobi-Nakuru Highway

At least five people were killed after a Bungoma-bound matatu was involved in a road accident at Kikopey along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.

Police said the matatu was struck from behind by a truck that reportedly lost control.

Another truck was reportedly ahead of the matatu at the time, leaving the public service vehicle caught between the two trucks.

Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander Winsone Mwakio confirmed the incident, noting that five people died and six others were injured.

The injured were taken to hospital, while the bodies were moved to the mortuary.

Authorities said the accident may have been caused by brake failure on the truck, and investigations are ongoing.

The crash occurred hours after another accident along the Mombasa Highway near Konza left at least seven people dead.

The Konza accident involved a Passenger Service Vehicle (PSV) bus and a matatu at the Katumani area near Konza Technopolis City, along the border of Machakos and Makueni counties.

It happened shortly after midnight.

Mukaa Sub-county Police Commander Hussein Abduba said the matatu, belonging to NAEKANA Sacco, was travelling from Nairobi when the driver attempted to overtake other vehicles on the highway.

During the manoeuvre, the matatu was involved in a head-on collision with a Tahmeed Coach bus that was travelling in the opposite direction, from Mombasa to Nairobi.

“The accident occurred when the driver of the matatu belonging to NAEKANA Sacco, which was headed towards Mombasa from Nairobi, attempted to overtake several vehicles and collided head-on with a Tahmeed bus that was moving in the opposite direction,” Abduba said in a phone interview.

The police commander urged motorists to exercise caution, particularly on the busy Nairobi–Mombasa highway and other major roads across the country.

“Drivers need to be careful on the road. We must protect the public because life is precious,” Abduba said.

Police said that in total, 13 people were killed and 24 others injured in separate road accidents across the country on Friday.