At least nine killed in Naivasha road crash involving bus and matatu

At least nine people were killed early Monday morning following a road accident involving a bus and a matatu at the Karai area of Naivasha along the Nairobi–Nakuru highway.

The crash occurred at around 2 a.m. on Monday, January 5, involving a bus and a 14-seater matatu, according to police.

Seven people, including two minors, died at the scene, while two others later succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment in the hospital.

Several other passengers sustained injuries and were taken to Naivasha District Hospital for medical attention.

Police said the bus was travelling from Nakuru to Nairobi at the time of the accident, while the matatu was heading in the opposite direction. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.

The Karai section of the highway has previously been identified by authorities as a high-risk area for road accidents, with safety campaigns conducted to warn motorists.

Police said the Karai accident contributed to a total of 18 fatalities recorded in road crashes between Sunday and Monday morning.

The victims included passengers, pedestrians, drivers, a motorcycle rider and a pedal cyclist.

At least 59 other people were reported injured during the same period.

Police said those injured included passengers, riders, drivers, pillion passengers and a pedestrian, all of whom were taken to various hospitals for treatment, where some remain admitted.

The latest incident comes days after six people were killed in a separate road accident along the Nairobi–Nakuru highway at the Kikopey area in Gilgil, where a trailer collided with a matatu.

In another incident reported on Friday, January 2, six passengers were killed in a road crash along Mombasa Road at Katumani near Konza City after a bus collided with a matatu. Seven others were critically injured in that accident.

Authorities have continued to warn motorists to exercise caution, noting that road crashes remain a major public safety concern despite ongoing awareness campaigns by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

Police said investigations into the recent accidents are ongoing.