At least seven people were killed on Monday evening after a truck rammed into two matatus at Kikopey, Gilgil, Nakuru County.

Police said 11 others were injured in the accident, which occurred at about 4 pm. According to police, the truck was heading in the Nakuru direction when the driver lost control of the vehicle before crashing into matatus heading in the opposite direction.

The incident left a horrific scene. Gilgil Sub-county Police Commander Wilstone Mwakio confirmed that five people died on the spot, while two others succumbed to their injuries at St Mary’s Hospital in Gilgil.

“The trailer heading to Nakuru veered off its lane and hit two matatus heading towards Gilgil. It then collided with a third matatu and dragged it off the highway into a ditch,” Mwakio said.

He said the container toppled onto the matatu, crushing it and the passengers. Preliminary findings indicate that the truck experienced brake failure and was speeding, police said.

The area has been regarded as a black spot. First responders recounted the difficulty they faced rescuing victims who were trapped in the wreckage, some pinned under the weight of the loaded 40-foot container.

The whereabouts of the trailer driver were not immediately established, with responders claiming he escaped after the accident, while police said he could be among those injured and admitted to the hospital.

Residents expressed concern over the frequent accidents along the Nairobi–Nakuru highway.

Just two weeks ago, multiple accidents along the same stretch claimed the lives of six people.

On January 5, 2026, ten people died after a Greenline Company bus collided head-on with a 14-seater matatu at Kayole in Naivasha.

Survivors who escaped with injuries blamed the accident on the bus driver, whom they accused of speeding.

On January 3, 2026, six people died on the spot while nine others were injured after a trailer rammed into a matatu and another stationary trailer at the Kikopey area in Gilgil.

Fatal accidents have been on the rise despite efforts to address the menace. A nationwide campaign has been launched to curb road carnage, yet close to 5,000 people were killed in separate accidents in 2025.

So far, more than 70 people have been killed in separate accidents in the past few weeks of this year, police say.

Officials say reckless overtaking, speeding and drunk driving remain among the leading causes of road accidents across the country, continuing to claim lives despite sustained public safety campaigns by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

Mechanical failures from poorly maintained vehicles, including worn tyres and faulty brakes, have also been identified as significant contributors to the growing number of crashes.

In addition to driver negligence, poor road conditions such as potholes, confusing signage and inadequate lighting continue to make travel increasingly hazardous, particularly at night.