12 perish in Nakuru road accident
12 people have been confirmed dead and five others injured in a tragic road accident along the Njoro–Elburgon Road in Nakuru County on the evening of Thursday, May 8, 2025.
The crash occurred at around 7:30 pm in Chebonde area, a known black spot near Chebonde Bridge, and involved a Toyota Hiace 14-seater matatu belonging to Nakuru K. Sacco, and a lorry.
According to a police incident brief, the matatu was ferrying passengers from Elburgon to Njoro, while the lorry was travelling in the opposite direction. Preliminary findings indicate that the matatu lost control while descending a hilly stretch and collided head-on with the lorry.
The matatu had 14 occupants, while the lorry was carrying three individuals. 12 fatalities, all from the matatu, were confirmed. Among them were six males, five females, and a female student. Five people survived the crash—three from the lorry and two from the matatu—including both drivers, who were seriously injured.
The injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, while the deceased were taken to Molo Sub-County Mortuary for identification and postmortem.
Kihika mourns victims
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika expressed sorrow over the incident and called for enhanced road safety enforcement in high-risk areas.
“My sincere condolences to the families of the 12 lives lost in last night’s tragic accident involving a matatu and a lorry at Arimi, along the Njoro-Elburgon road in Nakuru County,” the governor posted on X.
She urged motorists to drive cautiously and for relevant authorities to improve enforcement of traffic laws to prevent similar tragedies.
“Many of the accidents we witness can be avoided through responsible driving,” Kihika said.
Rising cases
The crash adds to the growing list of traffic-related fatalities in Kenya. According to police data, 4,282 people were killed in road accidents between January and November 2024, up from 3,901 in the same period in 2023. Over 21,620 road accidents were recorded in 2024 alone.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has attributed most of the crashes to tyre bursts, lane indiscipline, speeding, reckless overtaking, and poorly maintained vehicles.
With road deaths rising, authorities are under pressure to strengthen enforcement and improve driver education to curb the menace.
