Accident scene/Hillary Bett

At least 50 people were killed and more than 100 injured over Easter weekend so far and the numbers were rising, so it was not yet possible to compare the toll with that of last year’s four-day Easter.

That death toll does not include all of Sunday and Easter Monday.

The trend countrywide over recent years is an increasing death toll.

At least 11 people were killed on Friday night when a matatu and Mercedes-Benz trailer collided on the Gilgil-Nakuru highway in Nakuru county.

Police said the crash occurred at around 9:30 pm in the Kariandusi area near Lake Oil Bridge when a matatu rammed into a stalled trailer, police said.

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The accident involved a Toyota Hiace matatu belonging to Likana Sacco and a Mercedes-Benz Actros trailer, which had stalled on the road due to a mechanical issue. 

It’s not clear if the lorry driver tried to warn oncoming vehicles.

Preliminary investigations indicate the matatu heading towards Nakuru, rammed into the rear of the stationary trailer.

The impact of the collision left the matatu driver and 10 passengers dead on the spot.

Five other passengers who sustained serious injuries are being treated at Gilgil Subcounty Hospital.

The bodies were taken to the hospital mortuary for identification and autopsies.

The wreckage of both vehicles was towed to Gilgil police station for inspection as police opened a probe.

The crash increased the number of people killed in separate accidents on Friday night alone. They included 16 passengers and four riders, police said. 

At least 27 others were injured in reported accidents.

On Saturday night, nine people were killed, and 52 people were injured in separate accidents.

The deceased included three pedestrians, two motorcycle riders, a pillion passenger, a car driver and two passengers. The injured included two car drivers, 18 passengers, 10 pedestrians, eight riders, and four pillion passengers.

On Saturday, during the day, another nine people were killed, including seven riders and two pillion passengers.

The accidents left 33 people with serious injuries, including 23 passengers, six drivers and two riders, police said.

On Thursday night, 13 people died in separate road accidents, police said. The victims included six pedestrians, three riders, two drivers, a pillion passenger and a bicyclist. At least 24 people sustained serious injuries.

Ten others died on Friday, including four pedestrians, two drivers, a car passenger, and a rider. 

This increased to 51 the death toll from separate accidents.

Officials say reckless overtaking, speeding and drunk driving are among the leading causes of road accidents in Kenya, despite sustained public safety campaigns by the National Transportation and Safety Authority.

Mechanical failures from poorly maintained vehicles, including worn tyres and faulty brakes, contributed significantly to the number of crashes.

Other factors are driver negligence and poor road conditions, such as potholes, confusing signage, and inadequate road lighting.