Thirteen people were killed on Sunday in a road crash near Kikopey, Gilgil, along the Nakuru–Nairobi highway.
Nakuru County Police Commander Emmanuel Opuru confirmed the incident, saying the victims were traveling in a 14-seater matatu bound for Nakuru when it collided head-on with a semi-trailer truck.
“The matatu was overtaking when it rammed into the trailer, leading to 13 deaths on the spot and leaving three others with serious injuries,” Opuru said,
He added that the deceased were taken to the Gilgil Sub-county mortuary and the seriously injured have been rushed to Gilgil hospital.
Among those injured are two children. According to reports, they had hired the matatu from Nairobi to head for a family function.
A probe has been launched to establish more details on the deadly accident.
The crash occurred less than a day after another tragic accident on the same highway in which six people were killed.
The incident involved an ambulance from St. Mary’s Elementaita, which was transporting a critically ill patient when it lost control near Kimende on Saturday night.
Reports indicate that the patient, her husband, two relatives, a nurse, and the driver all perished on the spot. Images from the scene showed the ambulance mangled beyond recognition.