At least 13 people lost their lives and more than 30 others were injured in two separate road accidents reported Sunday night in Makueni and Nakuru counties, police said.
The deadliest crash occurred at Salama area along the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway at around 10 pm when a minibus traveling from Mombasa to Nairobi collided head-on with an oncoming trailer.
Eight people, including the minibus driver and seven passengers, died in the collision. Police said 28 other passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The impact caused a major traffic snarl-up as emergency responders and police worked to clear the scene.
Survivors claimed the trailer was being driven in the middle of the highway before the collision occurred. The trailer driver suffered multiple injuries.
In a separate incident at Kenyatta area along the Njoro–Nakuru Road, a trailer and a saloon car collided head-on.
Five occupants of the car were fatally injured, with four dying at the scene and the fifth succumbing while receiving treatment in hospital.
Police said the trailer driver fled the scene and efforts to trace and arrest him are ongoing.
The bodies of the victims were moved to the mortuary pending post-mortem examinations.
According to police, the two crashes contributed to a grim Sunday night in which more than 20 people were killed in road accidents across the country.
The victims included passengers, drivers, pedestrians, motorcycle riders and pillion passengers, while more than 30 others were left nursing injuries in various hospitals.
Road safety authorities continue to express concern over the rising number of fatal crashes.
Nearly 5,000 people were killed in road accidents across Kenya in 2025.
Officials attribute many of the crashes to reckless overtaking, speeding, drunk driving and poor vehicle maintenance, including worn-out tyres and faulty brakes. Poor road conditions, inadequate lighting and unclear signage have also been cited as major factors contributing to the country’s persistent road safety challenges.
There is a campaign to address the menace in the country.
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