An accident in the Mbaruk area of the Nakuru-Nairobi highway has claimed the lives of five family members, including a woman and her four sons.
The fatal collision occurred at 7am when a Mercedes car, driven by a man heading towards Nakuru, veered into the path of an oncoming lorry.
Gigil area OCPD Jamlek Ngaruiya reported that the collision was the result of the Mercedes overtaking another vehicle. "The woman and her children died instantly at the scene," stated Ngaruiya.
"The driver of the Mercedes, identified as Ambani, was rushed to St Joseph Hospital and is currently receiving treatment."
The lorry, was on its way to Nairobi when the accident happened. According to the truck driver, the Mercedes was travelling at high speed.
"The car was moving at such a high velocity that I had to swerve towards the roadside to avoid a direct collision," explained the driver of the truck. Despite his efforts, the Mercedes ended up in his path.
The driver expressed his condolences to the grieving family. "I am deeply sorry for their loss," he remarked.
The collision occurred as the Mercedes attempted to overtake other vehicles, leading to a head-on crash with the lorry.
The aftermath of the crash has left the Mbaruk area in mourning. The five deceased have been taken to a morgue in Nakuru for postmortem examinations
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the accident to determine any further details surrounding the tragic event.
By April this year, road accidents across Kenya had claimed at least 1,189 lives, representing a rise of 60 deaths compared to the 1,129 fatalities recorded during the same period in 2023.
According to the latest figures from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the data covers road crashes from January 1 to April 1, 2024.
Since the beginning of the year, 7,198 Kenyans have been involved in road accidents, marking an increase of 1,908 compared to the previous year. Among those affected, 3,316 sustained serious injuries, while 2,693 suffered minor injuries.
In 2023, over 4,300 people were killed in road accidents, with the remaining 22,885 individuals involved in accidents enduring life-changing injuries.
