At least eight people were killed after a matatu rammed into a stationary lorry at Mukhonje in Lugari along the Eldoret–Webuye highway, police said.
Police said the accident happened Tuesday, December 23, 2025, night after a speeding matatu rammed into a lorry that had stalled on the road after experiencing mechanical challenges.
The lorry had several bags of fertilizer. Locals later looted the product.
Western regional police boss Issa Mohamud said seven people died on the spot.
He said the lorry had stalled on the road and the crew may have failed to place warnings on other road users.
At least five other passengers were injured in the accident.
And after the accident, the lorry crew escaped the scene.
On Tuesday, 18 people were killed in separate accidents in the country.
This increased the tally of those killed so far this year to more than 4,500, police said. Several others have been left with serious injuries.
Of those killed, eight were passengers, four pedestrians, three riders, two pillion passengers and a driver, police said.
At least 36 others who including nine pedestrians, eight passengers, seven riders, six drivers and six pillion passengers, were left with injuries.
The accidents have a negative impact on society at large. Those with injuries will leave many families struggling.
At least 4,458 were killed in separate road accidents between January and December 2025, data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) show.
By December 2, a total of 4,458 people had lost their lives on the roads, surpassing last year’s figure of 4,311 recorded by end of year.
The statistics highlight the growing menace on the roads with pedestrians continuing to bear the greatest burden, with 1,685 deaths recorded.
Drivers accounted for 403 deaths, while 723 passengers perished in various crashes involving private vehicles, buses, and matatus.
The high number of passenger fatalities raises concerns about speeding, overloading, and non-compliance with safety regulations among public service vehicles.
Motorcycle-related fatalities also remained alarmingly high.
At least 1,148 motorcyclists died, along with 432 pillion passengers, underlining the continued risks associated with boda boda transport in the period.
Some 67 pedal cyclists died in the period, NTSA said.
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 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 hazardous, particularly at night.
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