At least five people died and one was injured following a horrific three-vehicle collision at Chirchir along the Eldoret–Nakuru highway on Monday evening.
According to police, the crash occurred at about 5:00 p.m. and involved a Mercedes-Benz Actros truck, a Howo truck and a Ford tractor that was transporting logs.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the Mercedes-Benz Actros, which was travelling from Nakuru towards Eldoret carrying transit goods, veered off its lane and collided with an oncoming Howo truck that was travelling towards Nakuru.
The Actros driver then lost control and crashed head-on into the tractor.
The impact caused the container being hauled by the Actros to detach and fall across the road, partially trapping the tractor. Meanwhile, the Howo truck veered off the road and landed in a ditch.
The driver of the Actros, who is yet to be identified, died on the spot alongside the tractor driver, Daniel Karanja, 38, and his three passengers: Stephan Njoroge, 39, Isaack Karuga, 46, and Muraya Gachuru, 44.
The Howo truck driver aged 59, sustained injuries to his right leg and was rushed to Burnt Forest Sub-County Hospital for treatment.
The bodies of the five deceased were moved to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem examinations.
Police visited the scene and launched investigations. The Actros truck and the tractor were extensively damaged, while the Howo truck sustained damage to its right side mirror, fuel tank, front mudguard and outer right wheel.
Efforts to tow the wreckage from the scene were ongoing pending inspection.
This is the latest such accident to happen on the busy highway. Dozens of people are killed on the route amid efforts to address the trend.
There is a campaign to address the accident menace in the country. Close to 5,000 people were killed in separate accidents in 2025.
Officials say reckless overtaking, speeding, and drunk driving remain among the leading causes of road accidents across the country, continuing to claim lives despite sustained public safety campaigns by National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
Mechanical failures from poorly maintained vehicles, including worn tyres and faulty brakes, have also been identified as significant contributors to the growing number of crashes. In addition to driver negligence, poor road conditions such as potholes, confusing signage, and inadequate lighting make travel increasingly dangerous.
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