One Dead, Several Pupils Injured After School Matatu Plunges Into Valley in Naivasha
A tragic road accident has left one person dead and several pupils injured after a matatu transporting learners from Ngondi Junior School reportedly lost control and overturned along Maiella Road in Naivasha on Friday evening.
The learners were returning from an academic activity held at Maiella Main Comprehensive School when the accident occurred, sending shockwaves through the local community and raising fresh concerns over road safety on the busy route.
According to preliminary reports from the scene, the vehicle is suspected to have suffered brake failure before veering off the road and plunging into a valley. Residents familiar with the area described the road as being in poor condition and prone to accidents, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the driver of the matatu succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. However, authorities had not released an official statement confirming the exact number of casualties by the time of publication.
Several pupils sustained injuries of varying severity. Initial reports suggest that approximately 10 learners suffered soft tissue injuries, while others sustained fractures and were rushed to hospital for specialized treatment.
Images circulating from the scene showed the badly damaged matatu lying upside down beside the road, illustrating the force of the impact.
Witnesses said local residents, motorists and emergency responders rushed to the scene immediately after the crash to rescue trapped passengers and administer first aid before ambulances arrived.
“We heard screams from the valley and rushed there. The vehicle had overturned completely, and people were trying to help the children out,” one witness said.
The injured pupils were taken to the Naivasha District Hospital Trauma Centre, where they are receiving treatment and undergoing further medical assessment.
While investigations are still underway, early indications suggest that brake failure may have contributed to the accident. Traffic police officers have launched inquiries to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the crash.
The latest incident comes amid growing concern over the rising number of road accidents involving school-going children across the country.
Just days earlier, students from Igumori Secondary School in Mbeere North, Embu County, were injured after their school bus lost control and overturned near Karii Market.
According to first responders, the bus skidded after driving over a wet section of the road, causing the driver to lose control before the vehicle veered off the road and rolled into a nearby valley.
The two accidents have renewed calls for stricter vehicle inspections, improved road maintenance and enhanced safety measures for school transport vehicles as authorities seek to curb the increasing number of road tragedies involving learners.
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