- A crash involving a private van, a trailer and a 14-seater matatu has killed six people, including three students, at Lessos Junction on the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway.
- Emergency responders and Good Samaritans have rushed survivors to Burnt Forest Hospital and Plateau Hospital, where several injured passengers remain under treatment.
- Investigators have launched inquiries into speed, reckless overtaking and mechanical failure.
A tragic accident along the Nakuru–Eldoret Highway has claimed six lives, including three students, in a crash that has once again highlighted the dangers of one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors. The accident occurred Thursday evening at Lessos Junction in the Mlima Punda area, leaving families in grief and communities shaken.
The crash involved a private van, a trailer and a 14-seater public service vehicle (PSV) matatu. The violent impact reduced sections of the vehicles to mangled wreckage, trapping passengers inside and sparking a desperate rescue effort. Police officers, emergency responders and Good Samaritans worked side by side to free survivors before rushing the injured to Burnt Forest Hospital and Plateau Hospital for urgent treatment.
Authorities confirmed that six people died on the spot, among them three students whose identities are being withheld until their families are notified. Several other passengers sustained injuries of varying severity, with doctors at the two hospitals battling to stabilise them.
The deaths of the students have sent shockwaves through the affected communities, reigniting calls for stronger measures to protect young people on Kenyan roads.
Investigators have already launched inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Key factors under review include excessive speed, reckless overtaking, mechanical failure and adherence to traffic regulations by the drivers involved. Police say findings from the investigation will guide enforcement measures aimed at curbing similar tragedies.
ALSO READ:
Two Hebesha Academy learners die, several injured in road accident after school trip
A Notorious Blackspot
The Nakuru–Eldoret Highway is notorious for its high accident rate, with Lessos Junction repeatedly flagged as a blackspot where passenger vehicles and heavy trucks collide. Road safety experts warn that without stricter enforcement of traffic laws and investment in safer infrastructure, the toll on Kenyan roads will continue to rise.
Stakeholders have renewed appeals to motorists to exercise caution, obey speed limits, avoid dangerous overtaking and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on long-distance travel. They argue that responsible driving, combined with consistent enforcement of traffic rules, is essential to reducing fatalities on highways.
As investigations continue, leaders and members of the public have conveyed their condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a swift recovery. The tragedy stands as a grim reminder of the urgent need for sustained investment in road safety measures and collective responsibility to save lives on Kenya’s roads.
By Hillary Muhalya
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
