Four killed in accident involving Pickup, Probox on Meru-Nanyuki highway
At least four people were killed on Wednesday dawn in a road accident along the Meru-Nanyuki highway.
Police said four others were injured in the accident that happened at about 1 am in the Timau area.
This happened after a Toyota Hilux pick up dislodged its right front tyre as it raced towards Nanyuki. The driver lost control colliding with an oncoming Probox.
The Hilux had three passengers. As a result, two passengers in the Pick-up died on the spot while the driver of the Probox and a female passenger died at the scene, police said.
The other four passengers had multiple injuries and were rushed to local hospital in serious condition.
The bodies were moved to the mortuary while the wreckage were towed to the police station.
Along Chuka-Embu Road, two pedestrians were fatally hit as they walked off the road.
The accident happened after a lorry driver tried to avoid a head-on collision in the area with an oncoming matatu that was overtaking.
The lorry was ferrying bananas at the time of the accident on Tuesday, police said. The bodies were moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy and investigations.
Along Bomet-Kisii road, a passenger was killed in a clash between a bus and a saloon car. Police said at least seven passengers were injured in the accident and were admitted to hospitals.
On Tuesday, 16 people were killed in separate accidents reported in the country. The victims included six pedestrians, five passengers, four riders and a driver.
There were 25 people who were seriously injured in the accidents reported, police said. They included 13 passengers, six pedestrians, three pillion passengers and two riders.
The injured are recuperating in hospitals. Police say more than 4,500 people have died in separate accidents so far this year. This is higher than the figures recorded in 2024.
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.
Furthermore, poor enforcement of traffic laws, coupled with some incidents of corruption at roadblocks, has allowed traffic offenders to operate with impunity, further worsening the problem on Kenyan roads.