At least 14 people were killed Friday morning when a trailer rammed onto a matatu in the Migaa area, Molo, on the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway.
Police
said all on board the Kitale Shuttle matatu died in the 3 am incident.
Migaa
area is regarded as a black spot.
No one
survived the accident. 12 of the victims were from the matatu and two from the
lorry.
The
victims included nine males, four females and a child, police spokesman Michael
Muchiri said.
He said
preliminary findings show the trailer’s driver lost control before it
rammed onto the matatu and dragged it for a while, fatally trapping the
passengers on board.
The lorry driver and his crew were also trapped and died, police said.
Emergency
service providers responded to the scene but could not help.
The
bodies were moved to the mortuary pending autopsy and investigations.
Muchiri
said that given the scene is a known black spot, there is a need for caution on the
drivers using the route.
“That
area is a known black spot, and we urge motorists to be cautious when
approaching there,” he said.
He said
they are launching a campaign to address the menace.
Fatal
traffic accidents have been rising in the country amid a campaign to
address the trend.
Police
have teamed up with government agencies in the campaign.
More than 4000 people are killed annually in accidents in the country. Thousands of others are left with injuries that leave a trail of negative impact on families.
Statistics provided by police show some 4,282 people had been killed in accidents between January and November 2024 as compared to 3,901 that were reported in the same period in 2023.
21,620 accidents were reported between January and November 2024 compared
to 20,191 in 2023 during the same period.
The National Transport and Safety Authority says the leading causes of fatal crashes include hit-and-runs, tyre bursts, and vehicles and motorcycles losing control.
Also, overtaking improperly and failing to keep the proper lane, resulting in head-on collisions, are mentioned as causes.
