At Least Six Killed in Horror Road Crashes in Bungoma and Kericho as Kenya’s Deadly Roads Claim More Lives
At least six people have been killed and more than a dozen others injured in two separate road accidents in Bungoma and Kericho counties, adding to Kenya’s growing road safety crisis.
The fatal crashes, which occurred on Saturday, involved a log-laden trailer crushing a passenger matatu in Bungoma and a head-on collision between a motorcycle and a matatu in Kericho.
Police confirmed that investigations into both incidents are underway.
Trailer overturns onto matatu in Bungoma
The first accident occurred at Chomoi along the Eldoret–Webuye Highway after a trailer transporting logs reportedly lost control before crashing into a Toyota Hiace matatu belonging to North Rift Shuttle.
According to police, the matatu was travelling from Eldoret towards Webuye carrying 11 passengers when the trailer, which was heading in the opposite direction, veered off course, collided with the vehicle and overturned onto it, crushing the passenger van and temporarily blocking the busy highway.
The impact killed the matatu driver, 34-year-old Felix Oloktar, on the spot alongside two female passengers whose identities had not yet been established.
Several passengers sustained injuries of varying severity and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Among those injured was a police officer attached to Liboi Police Station, who suffered minor injuries to both legs and was receiving medical attention.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to the Village of Hope Hospital Mortuary, where they await identification and postmortem examinations.
Police officers visited the scene, documented evidence and launched investigations into the cause of the crash as emergency teams worked to remove the wreckage and reopen the highway. The damaged vehicles were later towed away for inspection.
Three killed after motorcycle collides head-on with matatu
In a separate tragedy just hours later, three pillion passengers—including a juvenile—lost their lives following a collision between a motorcycle and a passenger matatu at the Baseline area along the Muhoroni–Londiani Road in Fort Ternan, Kericho County.
The accident happened at around 6 p.m. when a Toyota matatu belonging to Molo Bright SACCO was travelling towards Muhoroni.
Police said a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle travelling in the opposite direction suddenly veered onto the wrong side of the road before colliding head-on with the oncoming matatu.
The motorcycle rider was carrying three pillion passengers. Investigators revealed that none of the four occupants was wearing a crash helmet or reflective safety jacket.
Two women and a female juvenile died instantly at the scene.
The rider sustained serious head injuries and a fractured left leg, while three passengers aboard the matatu were also injured.
All those injured were rushed to Fort Ternan Sub-County Hospital for treatment.
The bodies of the deceased were moved to St Vincent Mortuary pending identification and postmortem examinations.
Police towed both the motorcycle and the matatu to Fort Ternan Police Station as investigations into the fatal collision continue.
Kenya’s road death toll continues to rise
The two crashes came amid another deadly day on Kenya’s roads.
Police said that 19 people lost their lives in separate road accidents across the country on Saturday night alone.
According to preliminary police statistics, the victims included 10 pedestrians, three pillion passengers, three passengers, two drivers and one motorcycle rider. Another 19 people sustained serious injuries in various crashes.
Authorities say investigations into the incidents are ongoing as the government continues to intensify campaigns aimed at reducing road carnage.
Despite repeated safety campaigns and enforcement operations, fatal road accidents continue to claim dozens of lives every week, leaving grieving families with emotional trauma, mounting medical bills and funeral expenses.
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