At least 14 people were killed and more than 25 others injured in a series of tragic road accidents across Kenya on Friday, underscoring the growing road safety crisis in the country.
The deadliest incident occurred at Kijauri junction along the Kisii–Sotik highway, where a trailer loaded with logs lost control and rammed into several matatus that were parked by the roadside. The area is a popular stopover for travelers purchasing food, and the accident struck during a busy evening hour.
According to eyewitnesses, the trailer was speeding and hooting moments before crashing into the stationary vehicles. “I saw the trailer coming at high speed while hooting, then it hit the matatus and landed in a ditch. Some passengers died instantly, while others were screaming in pain,” recounted a witness.
Seven people lost their lives in the crash, while 11 others were injured, three of them critically. Joshua Nyaemo, a clinical officer at Summit Medical Care in Nyansiongo, confirmed they received 11 victims, with one declared dead on arrival. The severely injured were referred to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nyamira Level Five Hospital, and Kaplong for specialized treatment.
In a separate accident along the Mombasa Highway in Mackinon, Kwale County, two people died when their new car crashed around 2 am. One other occupant sustained injuries.
Another fatal incident in Meru claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy in a hit-and-run on the Meru-Mitunguu road. Meanwhile, along the Narok-Mai Mahiu highway, three women were killed after a lorry struck them as they stood by the roadside following a minor bus accident.
These fatal crashes bring the total number of deaths reported on Kenyan roads on Friday alone to 14, adding to the annual toll that claims up to 4,000 lives.
The incidents highlight the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, better road design, and increased public awareness to curb the mounting death toll on Kenya’s roads.
