A tragic accident along the Nairobi–Mombasa highway in Athi River, Machakos County, claimed the life of one man and left another injured after a collision involving a Ford Ranger and a trailer.
The accident occurred shortly after midnight in the Primarosa area when a Ford Ranger, driven by Dennis Kasyoki, collided with a Mercedes Actros trailer ferrying a container of used shoes from Mombasa to Congo. Both vehicles were headed towards Nairobi at the time of the crash.
According to police findings, the Ford Ranger overtook the trailer and cut in abruptly, resulting in a rear-end collision. The impact caused both vehicles to lose control, veering off the road to the right side. In the process, the container being carried by the trailer toppled and landed on the Ford Ranger, completely crushing it.
Kasyoki, the driver of the Ford Ranger, died instantly at the scene. His passenger, identified as James Mwangangi Mulatya, sustained injuries and was rushed to Shalom Community Hospital in Athi River, where he complained of general body pain. The trailer driver, Abdullahi Ouru Hillow, escaped the accident without injuries.
Emergency response teams, including traffic police officers from Athi River, arrived at the scene to document the incident and manage the situation. Both wrecks remained at the crash site for hours as efforts to remove them continued. The tragic scene attracted onlookers, causing temporary disruption of traffic flow along the busy highway.
Authorities confirmed that investigations have been launched to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash. Preliminary reports suggest that reckless overtaking may have been the main cause of the accident, though other contributing factors such as road conditions, vehicle speed, and possible mechanical faults are also being examined.
The Nairobi–Mombasa highway is a critical transport corridor, linking the port city of Mombasa to Nairobi and beyond. However, it has also been the site of numerous fatal accidents over the years, often attributed to speeding, poor road etiquette, and driver fatigue. Road safety campaigners continue to urge motorists to exercise caution, especially when overtaking heavy vehicles that require longer braking distances and create significant blind spots.
The incident serves as yet another reminder of the dangers associated with reckless driving on Kenyan highways. Authorities are calling on all drivers to adhere strictly to traffic regulations to help reduce the rising number of accidents on the busy route.
