Ten people have been confirmed dead and about 35 others seriously injured in a crash early Monday at Karai near Naivasha on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. A passenger bus heading to Nairobi from the west collided head-on with a matatu, with police investigating the cause. The incident follows another accident that killed five just two days earlier.
The crash occurred around 5 p.m. Sunday when a Greenline bus collided head-on with a Nanyuki Cabs matatu amid heavy traffic. Police reported eight people died at the scene, including matatu passengers, with two more succumbing in hospital. Some 35 injured, including five children, were rushed to Naivasha County Hospital for treatment.
Nakuru County Police Commander Emmanuel Opuru said, “We have dispatched emergency teams and urge drivers to exercise caution, especially as people return to Nairobi after the festive season.” Investigations continue to determine the exact cause, though reports suggest the bus was attempting to overtake.
This marks the second fatal incident on the stretch in days; on Saturday, January 3, a Great Rift matatu collided with a trailer at Kikopey, Gilgil, killing five due to the truck's brake failure. Drivers cite congestion and delayed medical response as key factors in frequent accidents.
Transport critics have called for action against substandard driving schools and corrupt police, with the Motorists Association of Kenya stating, “NTSA must enforce comprehensive training to reduce crashes.” These incidents have heightened concerns during the post-holiday rush back to school and work.