Five killed in matatu-lorry collision along Nairobi-Mombasa Highway in Machakos

At least five individuals, including a matatu driver, perished in a collision involving a matatu and a lorry on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway at Kapiti Plains in Athi River, Machakos County. The accident occurred around 7:40pm on a Wednesday. According to police and witnesses, the matatu, operated by Kinatwa Sacco, was en route from Mombasa to Nairobi when its driver allegedly attempted a dangerous overtaking maneuver.

The matatu was struck by an oncoming Isuzu FH lorry, which was traveling in the opposite direction. The matatu driver and four passengers were killed at the scene, while seven other passengers sustained injuries of varying severity and were transported to Machakos Level Five Hospital for treatment. The five deceased were transferred to Machakos Funeral Home pending autopsy.

The highway is notorious for frequent fatal accidents. Police reported that at least 12 people died in separate accidents across the country on Wednesday night, including four pedestrians, five passengers, two riders, and a driver. The accidents resulted in 32 individuals suffering serious injuries. For instance, an accident on the Kisii-Daraja Moja-Daraja Mbili road claimed two lives and left 20 people with serious injuries.

The lorry involved was an Isuzu FRR, while the other vehicles included a Mazda and three motorcycles. The collision occurred at approximately 7:30pm in the Choma Choma area near the roadside where the lorry was being driven from Daraja Moja towards Daraja Mbili. Police are investigating the causes of the accidents, which are believed to be driven by factors such as hit-and-runs, tire bursts, vehicles and motorcycles losing control, improper overtaking, and lane violations leading to head-on collisions.