Driver of trailer involved in Kikopey crash that killed 16 breaks silence
The driver of the trailer involved in a devastating accident near Kikopey, Gilgil, has recounted the terrifying sequence of events that led to the collision, which claimed the lives of 16 people and left several others seriously injured.
The crash occurred on Sunday afternoon, September 28, 2025, along the busy Nakuru-Nairobi highway, when a fourteen-passenger matatu collided head-on with a trailer.
You might also like
Also watch: Kang’ata mourns 13 Murang’a residents killed in Kariandusi crash near Kikopey.
According to Nakuru County Police Commander Emmanuel Opuru, the matatu was overtaking when it struck the trailer, killing 13 passengers instantly and leaving three others critically injured.
The trailer driver speaking to a local TV station on Monday, September 29, 2025, explained that he had been driving when he noticed the matatu approaching at high speed.
He added that despite sounding his horn and attempting to brake, he was unable to prevent the collision.
“I was driving the trailer when I noticed a matatu approaching very close. I sounded the horn and tried to brake, but the matatu was moving too fast and collided with my trailer,” he shared.
The driver also noted that the accident occurred in a split second and admitted that he realised it was unavoidable only after the collision had already taken place.
“It all happened so quickly, and I could not avoid the crash.”
Elsewhere, Road Safety Association of Kenya National Chairman David Kiarie attributed road carnage to a racket involving the acquisition of driving licenses without undergoing mandatory training.
Among the passengers was Stephen Gicharu, who had his wife and two children aboard the matatu as the last passengers.
Gicharu recalled that he had communicated with the matatu driver earlier in the day and was under the impression that the vehicle would arrive safely.
He shared that tragically, his wife and one child died in the crash, while the other child remains hospitalised with severe injuries.
“I spoke to them that morning before they got into the vehicle, and later, I was in Tanzania for some business. I tried calling from Kenya, but the call would not go through, so I used WhatsApp. They told me they were waiting for the matatu to arrive and would be leaving soon. Tragically, my wife and one of my children were on that matatu and died, while my other child is in hospital with severe injuries,” Stephen shared.
The family had hired the matatu from Nairobi to attend a family function in Nakuru.
Author
Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
View all posts by Steve Ireri
