Written By Joyce Nzomo
Six people have died and several others sustained injuries in a devastating road accident at Kijauri Shopping Centre along the Kisii-Sotik Road, authorities have confirmed.
The fatal crash occurred on Friday evening and involved a lorry transporting timber, a public service vehicle (PSV) van, and a Toyota Premio.
According to Borabu sub-County Traffic Police Commander, Mr Wycliffe Kundu, the lorry—heading from the Keroka direction—lost control while descending a slope, crashing into the two vehicles parked by the roadside.
“The lorry was carrying logs of wood en route to a nearby tea factory. The driver lost control as he descended a stretch of road, hit two parked vehicles, and flew over a ditch before landing on several kiosks in the market,” Mr Kundu said in a phone interview.
The impact of the crash destroyed several roadside businesses operated by small-scale traders. Emergency services responded swiftly, and those injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.
The exact number of those injured is yet to be confirmed, but officials described the scene as “chaotic.”
Mr Kundu noted that Kijauri is a known black spot and warned motorists to exercise heightened caution when approaching the area, particularly during the rainy season. “
We urge all road users to be extra careful when driving through this stretch,” he added.
This tragedy comes just a month after a separate crash claimed three lives in Keroka Town, located a few kilometres from the Kijauri crash site. In that earlier incident, a 14-seater van collided with a motorcycle, leaving multiple casualties.
Authorities have launched investigations into the latest crash to establish the exact cause and assess whether the lorry driver will face charges.
