A series of deadly road crashes in various parts of the country between Thursday and Friday claimed the lives of eight people and left many others injured, in what police are describing as a disturbing rise in road accidents.

Among the most serious incidents was a seven-vehicle pile-up along the Mombasa–Nairobi highway at Mulima Kiu in Makueni County, which left three people dead and over ten others nursing injuries.

The Friday evening crash happened at around 5 pm when a Mercedes-Benz Axor truck, travelling towards Mombasa, veered off its lane and rammed into oncoming vehicles, including a Toyota Probox, a Toyota matatu, and several private cars and trucks.

The deceased were identified as 46-year-old Nthiani Daudi, who was in a Toyota Vitz, 8-year-old Gift Musyoka Musembi, who was inside the truck involved in the crash, and an unidentified male adult who was a passenger in the Toyota matatu.

Four people in the matatu sustained serious injuries and were taken to Sultan Sub-County Hospital.

They were named as Benter Odicho (27), Evans Kimilu (23), Silvester Ngindu (30), and Irine Wayua (28). Five others in a separate matatu escaped with minor injuries. The bodies of those who died were taken to the hospital mortuary.

In another fatal crash, a woman died and six others were injured along the Kisii–Oyugis road in Kisii County near the Riverside area on Thursday. The matatu they were travelling in reportedly developed mechanical problems before veering off the road and landing in a ditch.

The woman, identified as 32-year-old Pauline Migosi, died on the spot due to head injuries.

The driver, Charles Momanyi, suffered injuries to the head and leg and was admitted to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, while the rest of the injured were taken to various hospitals for treatment. The vehicle was towed to Nyanchwa police yard for further inspection.

Elsewhere in Kajiado County, a handcart pusher died after being hit by a Toyota Hiace vehicle around 5:30 a.m.

Friday along Magadi Road in the Chap Chap area. The victim, who has not yet been identified, was taken to Jamii Private Hospital while bleeding but died during first aid. His body was transferred to the Saitoti Sub-County Hospital morgue as police continue efforts to establish his identity.

In Nairobi, a 30-year-old boda boda rider died after colliding head-on with an Isuzu NQR truck near Road A Junction in Industrial Area. The crash occurred around 7:30 a.m. on Friday.

The victim, Julias Obiso Abisa, was rushed to Luben Healthcare Centre but was pronounced dead on arrival. Police said the truck driver fled the scene. His body was moved to City Mortuary.

In another incident in Nairobi, an unidentified pedestrian died after being hit by a speeding vehicle along Juja Road near Shell petrol station in Pangani. The crash happened at around 3:30 a.m. Friday.

The vehicle that struck the victim fled the scene. Police from Pangani Station documented the scene and moved the body to City Mortuary. A file has been opened under cause code 68, and officers are calling on witnesses or motorists with dashcam footage to assist in investigations.

In Uasin Gishu County, police confirmed the identity of a man who died in a motorcycle accident earlier in the week. The deceased was identified as 29-year-old Simon Mwaura by his father, Petro Kinyanjui Mwaura. His body remains at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital awaiting a post-mortem.

All the accidents are currently under investigation. Police are urging drivers to follow road safety guidelines and avoid reckless behaviour to curb further fatalities.