Black spot crash claims 12 Lives in Njoro-Elburgon area
The deadly collision occurred at around 7 pm, leaving the community in shock and families devastated.
Twelve people lost their lives on Thursday night following a road crash between a passenger matatu and a lorry at Arimi, along the busy Njoro-Elburgon Road in Nakuru County.
The deadly collision occurred at around 7 pm, leaving the community in shock and families devastated.
According to police, the driver of the 14-seater matatu lost control of the vehicle before it collided with the lorry.
"The driver is said to have lost control of the matatu before the accident happened, leaving 12 passengers dead. We are investigating the tragedy which happened at about 7 pm," said traffic commandant Fredrick Ochieng.
Two more passengers survived the crash but were left with injuries. Police said they were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Known black spot
The area where the crash took place is a well-known black spot. Motorists using the Njoro-Elburgon route have repeatedly been urged to exercise extra caution due to the high number of accidents reported along that stretch.
As news of the tragedy spread, grieving families and friends gathered at a nearby mortuary where the bodies had been taken.
They helped in the identification process and in preparing for post-mortem examinations before the release of the bodies for burial.
Rising road deaths
The accident adds to the growing number of road fatalities reported across the country.
Police and government agencies have been carrying out a campaign to stop the increasing cases of deadly crashes.
More than 4,000 people are killed in road accidents every year in Kenya, while thousands more are left nursing injuries that have lasting effects on their families.
Police records show that 4,282 people lost their lives in road crashes between January and November 2024.
This was a rise compared to 3,901 deaths reported during the same period in 2023.
A total of 21,620 accidents were recorded within the same period in 2024, higher than the 20,191 cases reported in 2023.
What’s causing the crashes
The National Transport and Safety Authority has identified several reasons behind the deadly accidents.
These include hit-and-run cases, tyre bursts, and vehicles or motorcycles losing control.
Other causes are improper overtaking and failing to stay in the right lane, which often leads to head-on collisions.
Ongoing efforts
To reduce the number of crashes, police are working closely with other government agencies to enforce road safety rules and create awareness among road users.
Drivers and riders are being reminded to remain careful and alert on the roads, especially in known danger zones like Arimi.