A tragic road accident claimed the lives of five people, including an infant, on the evening of Monday, August 4, along the busy Nairobi-Nakuru Highway. The horrific crash occurred in the Mbaruk area of Gilgil and involved three vehicles a saloon car, a Toyota Fielder, and a trailer.
According to authorities, the Toyota Fielder was attempting to overtake a fleet of vehicles when it failed to return to its lane in time. The car collided head-on with an oncoming saloon car before careening into a trailer identified as a Mercedes-Benz Actros. The impact of the collision was devastating, causing the saloon car to catch fire and burn to a shell.
All five occupants of the saloon car two male adults, two female adults, and a male infant died on the spot due to the intensity of the crash. The victims were headed towards Nairobi from Nakuru at the time of the accident, which occurred at around 6:00 pm.
The aftermath of the accident resulted in a heavy traffic snarl-up along the busy highway as police moved in to clear the scene and direct traffic from both ends. The charred remains of the vehicle were towed to the local police station, while the bodies of the deceased were transferred to a nearby mortuary pending autopsy and identification procedures.
This incident contributed to a grim tally of road casualties recorded on Monday, which saw a total of 12 fatalities in various road crashes across the country. Among the dead were five passengers, three motorcycle riders, three pedestrians, and one driver. Additionally, at least 15 people sustained serious injuries, including riders, passengers, pedestrians, and pillion passengers.
In another separate incident, a pedestrian was struck and killed by a speeding vehicle while crossing the Northern Bypass in Nairobi. He died on the spot.
The Gilgil crash comes as the government prepares to commence the long-awaited dualling of the Rironi to Mau Summit highway. Authorities have reiterated that construction is scheduled to begin in September 2025, aiming to improve traffic flow and enhance safety on the crucial corridor linking Nairobi to Nakuru.
