At least five people reportedly died while several others are nursing critical injuries following an accident along the Nyahururu-Nakuru Highway in the Subukia area of Nakuru County.
The accident which took place on Tuesday, December 3, at around 7 pm occurred after a trailer ferrying logs of wood lost control and hit two pedestrians who were walking by the roadside. It then hit others who were standing along the road.
Consequently, the trailer rolled over before landing in a ditch. Following the accident, first responders quickly arrived at the scene and rushed the injured to the hospital.
In the videos and images that have since circulated widely on the internet, the trailer was completely damaged on its front side with the images depicting a broken windscreen.
Additionally, residents were captured attempting to pick up the scattered logs of wood. However, they were quickly stopped by police officers who arrived at the scene moments later.
The officers cordoned off the area to pave the way for investigations before the trailer was also towed away from the highway to ease traffic congestion.
While commenting on the road crash, the area residents expressed concerns over a surge in road carnages along the section of the highway even as they called on the national government to intervene.
Moments after the accident, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo cautioned drivers against reckless driving and using overloaded vehicles along major highways during the festive season.
In a press statement dated December 4, PS Omollo directed all traffic police officers and officials from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to take action on all unlicensed Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and other forms of indiscipline on our roads.
"I hereby direct the National Police Service in conjunction with the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) to enforce compliance with traffic rules by all private motorists and commercial passenger vehicles," read the notice.
Records indicate that this year has seen more fatalities and serious injuries among motorcyclists, pillion passengers, and pedestrians. Between January and November, 4,047 people died from road accidents, compared to 3,726 during the same period last year.
There have been a total of 20,369 accidents, compared to 19,262 in 2023. Among these accidents, there were 10,124 serious injuries, up from 9,059 last year. By Timothy Cerullo, Kenyans.co.ke
