At least seven people died on the spot on Sunday morning after a matatu collided head-on with a truck at Miasenyi, Taita-Taveta county along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.
The area is a notorious spot for accidents.
According to eyewitnesses, the matatu belonging to Kinatwa company was heading towards Mombasa and was overtaking other vehicles before colliding with the truck.
The bodies of the deceased, among them the driver’s, were taken to the Moi Referral Hospital-Voi mortuary pending an autopsy, police said.
Police said the injured were taken to the same facility as police launch a probe on the incident.
The impact left the vehicle severely damaged, with all seven occupants — including the driver – dying on the spot.
The matatu had departed Wote town in Makueni County at around 7pm on Saturday, ferrying passengers headed to the Coast.
Drivers were urged to remain vigilant as travelling peaks during the Christmas festivities.
Police said they are investigating the tragedy.
According to the police reckless overtaking and speeding are among the suspected causes.
The Nairobi-Mombasa Highway remains one of Kenya’s deadliest roads, with frequent crashes especially during festive periods when traffic is heavy.
As Christmas travel picks up, police have intensified patrols and urged motorists to exercise caution.
Fatal accidents are on the rise amid efforts to contain the trend.
On Saturday alone, at least 12 people were killed in separate accidents reported in the country, police said. The victims included four passengers, two pedestrians, two drivers, two riders and two pillion passengers.
Police said 34 other people were left with serious injuries in the accidents and included 15 passengers, 10 riders, five pedestrians and three pillion passengers.
On Friday, four people died and several others were left with serious injuries after the vehicle they were travelling in was involved in an accident in the Wakhungu area, of Nangina ward, Funyula constituency, Busia County.
It is alleged that the vehicle, which belongs to the Sugar Zone Sacco and was heading from Bumala town towards Port Victoria, burst its front tyre, causing the driver to lose control.
This led to the deaths of the four; the driver, a woman, and two other men.
The injured were taken to Nangina Mission Hospital, with Samia Sub-County OCPD Richard Moracha saying investigations are ongoing before a full report is released.
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