A tragic road accident at Lessos Junction in the Mlima Punda area along the busy Nakuru-Eldoret highway has left six people dead, including three students, adding to the growing number of lives being lost on Kenyan roads.
The accident, which occurred on Thursday, July 30, involved a private van, a trailer and a 14-seater matatu. Several other passengers were injured in the collision and were rushed to Burnt Forest Hospital and Plateau Hospital for treatment.
Emergency responders, police officers and local residents quickly arrived at the scene to assist the victims.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as rescuers worked tirelessly to save passengers trapped inside the wreckage. The rescue operation took several minutes as emergency teams struggled to reach some of the victims due to the severe damage caused by the impact.
Uasin Gishu County Traffic Enforcement Officer Cornelius Chesimet confirmed the accident and said investigations had already been launched to establish what exactly led to the collision.
Authorities are expected to examine all possible factors, including vehicle condition, driver conduct and road circumstances at the time of the crash.
Images from the scene that circulated widely online showed the devastating impact of the accident. The matatu suffered extensive damage, particularly on the passenger side, which was completely torn apart.
The roof was crushed, seats were twisted and damaged, and several windows were shattered. The condition of the vehicle reflected the force of the collision and the danger faced by those on board.
The accident has once again raised concerns about road safety on major highways, especially along routes that experience heavy traffic from both passenger and commercial vehicles.
The Nakuru-Eldoret highway is one of the country’s busiest roads and has witnessed numerous fatal accidents over the years.
The tragedy came only a day after another deadly accident occurred along the Muhoroni-Londiani highway.
In that incident, two people died and 26 others were injured after a bus carrying mourners lost control and rolled off the road near the tunnel area, about seven kilometres east of Fort Ternan.
According to police reports, the accident happened at around 4:50 am when the bus veered off the road before overturning. A man and a woman died on the spot while dozens of passengers sustained injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to chest and spinal injuries.
The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.The two accidents have added to growing concerns over the increasing number of road crashes being reported across the country. Data released by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows that at least 2,150 people lost their lives in road accidents during the first half of 2026 alone.
The statistics reveal that pedestrians remain the most affected group, accounting for 836 deaths. Motorcyclists and passengers also continue to record high numbers of fatalities. These figures paint a worrying picture of road safety and highlight the urgent need for stronger enforcement of traffic regulations, safer driving practices and greater awareness among all road users.
