At least 13 people were killed, and more than 20 others were injured in two separate road accidents reported on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, in Nyakach, Kisumu County, and near Burnt Forest along the Eldoret–Nakuru Highway.
The deadliest of the two crashes occurred at Katito Kaliech stage along the Homa Bay–Kisumu Highway in Nyakach, where at least 11 people were confirmed dead.
Police said the accident happened after a vehicle lost control at the busy stage, resulting in a devastating crash that left multiple victims dead at the scene.
Three more victims sustained injuries in the Katito Kaliech accident and were taken to hospital for medical attention as emergency responders moved in to remove the debris.
In a second accident within the same Nyakach area, a public service vehicle and a pickup truck collided head-on at Pap Onditi along the Katito–Nyakach/Kendu Bay Road.
According to police and emergency responders, the pickup truck lost control and veered into the opposite lane, crashing into an oncoming Toyota Hiace matatu that was ferrying passengers.
Kisumu County Health Executive Greg Ganda said the County Emergency Operations Centre received a distress call at 2:57pm and immediately activated an emergency response.
Four ambulances were dispatched from Nyakach, Masogo, Rabuor, and Nyangande to evacuate victims from the scene.
A total of 22 people were involved in the Pap Onditi accident, with one fatality confirmed at the scene, while 21 others sustained injuries.
The injured victims were stabilised at Nyakach County Hospital before being transferred to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital for further management.
In a separate incident, another serious crash occurred near Burnt Forest on the Eldoret–Nakuru Highway, involving a container-laden trailer and a Toyota Voxy.
Witnesses said the container dislodged from the trailer, killing two people instantly and leaving one other person seriously injured, as authorities urged motorists to exercise caution on major highways during the festive period.
