13 dead, several injured in matatu-lorry collision on Nakuru–Nairobi highway
The tragedy comes just a day after six people were killed in another accident along the same highway, when an ambulance from St. Mary’s Elementaita collided near Kimende.
Thirteen people were killed and several others injured on Sunday afternoon in a head-on collision involving a 14-seater matatu and a lorry near Kikopey, Gilgil, along the Nakuru–Nairobi highway.
According to Nakuru County Police Commander Emmanuel Opuru, the matatu was headed to Nakuru for a family function when it attempted to overtake other vehicles and collided with the trailer. CCTV footage seen by the Eastleigh Voice shows the matatu overtaking before crashing into the lorry.
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“The matatu was overtaking and then it rammed into the trailer, causing 13 fatalities and three others seriously injured,” Opuru said.
Among the injured were two children. The critically injured were rushed to Gilgil Hospital, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to the Gilgil Sub-County Mortuary.
Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander Winston Mwakio confirmed that the accident involved three vehicles, including a Subaru Forester.
“Twelve occupants of the matatu died on the spot. One other person died while being rushed tothe hospital,” he said.
The lorry driver sustained serious injuries, while five other victims were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The accident caused heavy traffic along the busy highway before the road was cleared.
“We have now reopened the road, but we call on motorists to exercise extra caution,” Mwakio added.
The tragedy comes just a day after six people were killed in another accident along the same highway, when an ambulance from St. Mary’s Elementaita collided near Kimende. Those who died included a patient, her husband, two relatives, a nurse, and the driver.
The Nakuru–Nairobi highway, part of the Northern Corridor, remains one of Kenya’s deadliest roads.
According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Nakuru County records some of the highest road fatalities annually, with blackspots such as Gilgil, Kinungi, Salgaa, and Sachangwan notorious for repeated crashes.
Reckless driving, speeding, fatigue, and poorly maintained vehicles are often cited as key causes.
NTSA figures show that more than 4,000 people died in road accidents across Kenya last year, with nearly 10 per cent of fatalities occurring along this corridor.
Police investigations into the Kariandusi crash are ongoing, amid growing calls for stricter enforcement of traffic rules and urgent safety interventions.
In recent years, the Gilgil–Kikopey–St. Mary’s–Mbaruk stretch, along with dangerous sections such as Hindu, Raini, Mithuri, Soysambu, Weighbridge, Kinungi, and Karai, has claimed dozens of lives.
The highway remains a vital transport artery linking Nairobi to western Kenya and neighbouring landlocked nations, including Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Burundi.
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