Several people are feared dead and dozens injured following a grisly road accident involving a trailer and a matatu along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway at Kikopey, near Gilgil.
Preliminary reports indicate that the crash occurred on Monday afternoon, January 19, when a trailer lost control and collided head-on with a 14-seater public service vehicle travelling in the opposite direction.
Witnesses said the trailer veered off its lane before crashing into the matatu with tremendous force, pushing it off the road.
The impact left the PSV completely crushed, with the trailer coming to rest on top of the vehicle.
Images and videos from the scene show the matatu mangled beyond recognition as rescue efforts continued.
Members of the public were the first responders, attempting to lift the trailer from the wreckage as several passengers remained trapped inside.
Emergency response teams were later deployed to the scene to assist in rescue and recovery operations.
By the time of publication, some occupants were still trapped in the wreckage as efforts to free them continued.
The accident caused a major traffic snarl-up near the Lake Oil Petrol Station along the busy Nakuru–Nairobi Highway, prompting authorities to advise motorists to use alternative routes as the scene was cleared.
The Kikopey area has gained a reputation as a black spot, with the latest crash occurring barely two weeks after five people lost their lives at the same location.
Coincidentally, that earlier accident also involved a 14-seater matatu and a trailer.
The tragedy comes amid renewed efforts by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to curb road accidents.
Earlier in the day, the authority announced the suspension of four matatu operators over accidents recorded during the festive season.
The suspended operators include Monna Comfort Sacco, Greenline Company, Naekana Route 134 Sacco Ltd, and Uwezo Coast Sacco, a move that effectively grounded more than 180 matatus.
Investigations into the cause of the Kikopey crash are ongoing as authorities continue to assess the extent of the damage and casualties.
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