Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has called for prayers and solidarity with the families of 13 people who perished in a tragic road accident at Kariandusi near Kikopey on the Nakuru–Nairobi Highway.
The governor, in a message posted on his X page on Monday, September 29, 2025, confirmed that the victims were residents of Murang’a County, Kandara Constituency, Ruchu Ward. He expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, describing it as a painful loss to the entire community.
“Let us keep the families of the deceased in our prayers,” Kang’ata urged, emphasizing the need for support as the families grapple with grief.
The accident occurred on Sunday morning, September 28, 2025, when a 14-seater matatu collided head-on with a trailer. Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander Winston Mwakio confirmed the fatalities, adding that several other passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Eyewitnesses described the crash as horrifying. The matatu was completely wrecked while the trailer overturned, scattering cargo and personal belongings across the highway. Rescue operations by police and locals were hampered by heavy traffic on the busy road.
The Nakuru–Nairobi Highway, a key section of the Northern Corridor, has long been notorious for frequent accidents, especially at black spots like Kimende, Kinungi, Kariandusi, and Gilgil. Road safety experts point to speeding, poor road design, and heavy traffic as recurring causes of deadly crashes.
This latest tragedy came barely a day after another incident along the same road near Kimende, where an ambulance ferrying a patient, relatives, a nurse, and a driver lost control, adding to concerns about the highway’s alarming safety record.
Governor Kang’ata called on national and county agencies to not only pray for the bereaved but also intensify road safety campaigns and improve infrastructure to save lives.
“As we mourn, let us also reflect on measures to prevent such tragedies,” he said.
