NAIROBI, Kenya — At least 10 people have been killed in a grisly road accident after a matatu rammed into a stalled trailer along the busy Nairobi–Nakuru Highway at Kariandusi near Gilgil.
The fatal crash occurred late Friday night, with police indicating that the matatu, which was heading towards Nakuru, collided with the rear of a trailer that had developed mechanical problems and stalled on the road.
Authorities said the impact was devastating, killing most of the occupants on the spot.
Initial reports indicate that only a few passengers survived the crash, with the injured rushed to nearby health facilities for emergency treatment.
Gilgil Sub-County police confirmed that the trailer had been stationary along the highway before the collision.
Investigations are ongoing to establish whether proper warning signs had been placed to alert approaching motorists.
Witnesses described a horrific scene, with the matatu’s front section completely crushed, trapping passengers inside as rescuers worked through the night to retrieve bodies from the wreckage.
The bodies of the deceased were moved to the mortuary at Gilgil Sub-County Hospital, while the wreckage of both vehicles was towed to a nearby police station for inspection.
The Nairobi–Nakuru Highway, a key transport corridor linking the capital to western Kenya and the Rift Valley, has long been flagged as a high-risk route due to heavy traffic and frequent accidents.
The latest tragedy comes amid renewed warnings from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), which has been urging motorists to avoid speeding, ensure vehicles are roadworthy, and place visible warning signs in case of breakdowns.
Police have appealed to drivers to exercise caution, especially during the current travel period, as investigations into the exact cause of the crash continue.
