A deadly road accident has occurred at Kariandusi area near Gilgil along the busy Nairobi-Nakuru Highway, leaving scores feared dead and many others injured. The crash involved a public service vehicle (PSV) and a trailer, both of which were badly damaged.
According to eyewitness accounts, the PSV was left mangled on its front side, lying on the edge of the road, while the trailer ended up on its side in a ditch a few yards ahead. Its position suggested that it lost control before finally coming to a halt.
Area residents rushed to the scene within moments of the collision, offering first aid to survivors and attempting to clear debris that was scattered across the highway. Vehicle parts and passengers’ belongings were strewn all over, causing further distress to onlookers.
This latest tragedy adds to a string of fatal accidents that have rocked the highway in recent days. Just hours earlier, six people died when an ambulance affiliated with St Mary’s Mission Hospital, Elementaita, crashed near Kimende. The victims included a patient, her husband, two relatives, a nurse, and the ambulance driver. Witnesses say the ambulance lost control while speeding to hospital, killing all onboard instantly.
In a separate accident on Saturday evening, multiple vehicles, including a truck, were involved in another crash near Gilgil between Kikopey and St Mary’s. The truck overturned, completely blocking the highway and triggering a major traffic snarl-up. Police were called in to manage the gridlock as emergency responders worked at the scene.
The Nairobi-Nakuru Highway is one of Kenya’s busiest roads, linking Nairobi to the Rift Valley and western Kenya. However, it has increasingly become a black spot for deadly accidents. Authorities are now being urged to enhance road safety measures to curb the rising number of fatalities.
