At least five people died on the spot while several others sustained injuries following a tragic road accident along the Bungoma–Webuye road in the early hours of Wednesday June 10 morning.
The accident occurred at about 12:30 a.m. near Bukembe Bridge, police said. There were fears the death toll would rise because the injuries were serious, police said.
According to police, a Toyota matatu belonging to Eldoret Victory Sacco was travelling from Webuye towards Bungoma when it collided head-on with an oncoming Mercedes Actros trailer owned by Excellent Logistics.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the trailer veered from its proper lane and crashed into the matatu.
The impact of the collision was severe, killing five occupants of the matatu instantly. The deceased comprise three men and two women whose identities had not been established by the time of filing this report.
Several other passengers who sustained injuries were rushed to Bungoma County Referral Hospital for treatment.
Police officers visited and documented the scene before transferring the bodies to the mortuary at Bungoma County Referral Hospital, where they are awaiting identification and post-mortem examinations.
The latest accident increased to 15, the number of people killed in separate accidents on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
The victims included seven pedestrians, six passengers, a rider and a driver, police said adding more than 20 other people were injured in the accidents.
The accident adds to the growing number of fatal road crashes reported on Kenyan highways, prompting renewed calls for motorists to observe traffic rules and exercise caution on the roads.
On Monday, 13 people were killed in two separate accidents on Mombasa Highway and in Njoro. The incidents remain under investigation.
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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