NTSA launches probe into Nyeri-Nyahururu crash that killed 15

Fifteen people have died in a road traffic crash along the Nyeri-Nyahururu road, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has confirmed.

The accident involved a collision between a lorry and a Passenger Service Vehicle (PSV).

NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa described the incident as “deeply distressing” and extended his condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims.

“This is a heartbreaking loss, and we share in the pain of those who have lost their loved ones,” he said, adding that the authority is coordinating with hospitals to ensure the deceased are treated with dignity and that the injured receive immediate medical care.

Preliminary reports suggest that the crash may have been caused by a combination of factors that the NTSA has repeatedly warned against, including reckless driving, excessive speeding, and the operation of an unserviceable lorry that may have lost control.

Kondiwa emphasised that if these suspicions are confirmed, the incident “was a preventable catastrophe.”

The NTSA has launched a multi-agency investigation to establish the exact sequence of events leading to the crash.

The investigation will include a forensic reconstruction of the accident, an assessment of the roadworthiness of the vehicles involved, and a review of the drivers’ adherence to traffic regulations.

In addition to the investigation, Kondiwa said that the authority will conduct an immediate audit of the PSV operator and the lorry owner to verify compliance with safety standards and licensing requirements.

“We are ramping up enforcement along the Nyeri-Nyahururu corridor and other major highways to remove unroadworthy vehicles from our roads, particularly commercial goods vehicles and PSVs,” he stated.

The NTSA chief also issued a warning to motorists, especially commercial drivers, stressing the need for caution on the roads.

“Recklessness on our roads is not a mistake; it is a choice that has deadly consequences. We will ensure that any individual or entity found to have contributed to this tragedy through negligence or violation of traffic laws is held fully accountable,” Kondiwa said.

NTSA has pledged to provide further details as the inquiry progresses.

Meanwhile, the authority has called on all road users to exercise heightened vigilance and follow traffic regulations to prevent further loss of life.

Kondiwa concluded his statement by paying tribute to the victims: “May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”