Six Killed, Including Three Students, in Grisly Nakuru-Eldoret Highway Crash
Six people, including three students, have been killed in a horrific road accident involving a private van, a trailer and a 14-seater matatu along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway.
The crash occurred on Thursday, July 30, at Lessos Junction in the Mlima Punda area, leaving several other passengers injured and triggering a frantic rescue operation.
Police officers and members of the public rushed to the scene as emergency teams worked to free passengers who were trapped inside the mangled vehicles.
The injured were reportedly taken to Burnt Forest Hospital and Plateau Hospital for treatment, while authorities began the process of establishing the circumstances that led to the fatal collision.
Uasin Gishu County Traffic Enforcement Officer Cornelius Chesimet confirmed the accident and said investigations had been launched to determine what caused the crash.
The severity of the collision was evident from images of the scene, which showed the matatu extensively damaged. The passenger side was ripped open, while the roof was crushed, seats were mangled and several windows were shattered.
The crash has once again raised concerns over safety along one of Kenya’s major transport corridors, which carries heavy traffic between Nakuru and Eldoret.
Another deadly crash raises alarm
The Lessos Junction tragedy came amid a string of fatal road crashes reported across the country.
A separate accident along the Muhoroni-Londiani highway also left people dead and dozens injured after a bus carrying mourners reportedly lost control and overturned.
The crash occurred near the tunnel area, approximately seven kilometres east of Fort Ternan, with the vehicle veering off the road before overturning.
According to police, two people — a man and a woman — died at the scene, while 26 other passengers sustained injuries of varying severity.
Those injured reportedly suffered cuts, bruises, chest and spinal injuries, as well as general body pain, and were taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Kenya’s road death toll continues to rise
The latest accidents come against the backdrop of worrying national road safety statistics.
Data released by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows that 2,150 people died in road crashes during the first six months of 2026, an increase of about 11 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.
Pedestrians accounted for the largest share of the fatalities, with 836 deaths, followed by motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users. NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa has warned of the continuing rise in road deaths and called for stronger enforcement and greater public awareness.
The figures have intensified calls for motorists to observe speed limits, avoid dangerous overtaking and remain vigilant, particularly on busy highways and known accident-prone sections.
For families affected by Thursday’s crash, however, the statistics offer little comfort as authorities continue investigations into yet another deadly collision on Kenya’s roads.
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