Fourteen people were killed on Friday when a lorry collided with a matatu at the Migaa blackspot on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway. The accident occurred at 3 am with the lorry was carrying coffee berries. Police suspect lorry’s brakes failed, causing it to ram into the matatu and drag it into a ditch.
The minibus from Kitale Shuttle Sacco carried 12 victims, including the matatu driver. The other two were inside the truck. The victims consisted of nine men, four women, and one child. Both drivers and crews were trapped, and emergency responders were unable to intervene in time.
Migaa, a dangerous area on Molo, has been the scene of numerous fatal accidents. Police are urging drivers to use caution when passing through, and a safety campaign will be launched to raise awareness.
Fatal accidents continue to increase, with over 4,000 deaths reported in 2024, up from 3,901 in 2023. The National Transport and Safety Authority lists causes as hit-and-runs, tyre bursts, and loss of vehicle control.
The primary causes of crashes are improper overtaking, failure to maintain lanes, and head-on collisions.
Authorities are addressing the issue with stricter regulations and safety campaigns.
