10 killed, others injured in separate highway crashes across Nakuru and Kitui

In the first incident, five people died on the spot and eight others were seriously injured in an early morning collision at the notorious Twin’s Bridge black spot along the Nakuru–Eldoret Highway. 

Kuresoi Base Commander Willy Lang’at reported that an Eldoret-bound matatu belonging to Kapsowar Sacco was speeding when it rammed into a stationary trailer.

Among the deceased are members of a single family returning from the Administration Police pass-out parade in Embakasi, Nairobi, held on Friday.

At the Londiani Hospital mortuary, a grieving Mercy Kibiwott recounted how a last-minute decision to board a different vehicle saved her life, though her relatives were not as fortunate.

"Kufika Londiani nikaambiwa wawili wamekua referred to Nakuru. So hao wengine nikaenda ku-confirm. Hao watatu ni mama na my cousin na neighbour. Kupoteza watu watatu same time ni uchungu sana na nzito sana," Kibiwott said, mourning the sudden loss of her mother, cousin, and neighbor.

The driver of the stalled lorry, Ahmed Jilo, explained that his vehicle had broken down on the uphill stretch after losing gears. 

He and his turnboy were waiting nearby with police officers when the impact occurred.

"Lorry yangu iliharibika hapo kwa mlima imekata gear, tumekaa tu na turnboy wangu na polisi tukiota moto, nikashtukia matatu imeniingia nyuma," Jilo recalled.

Base Commander Lang’at attributed the crash to high speeds and adverse weather conditions, urging motorists to exercise vigilance on the notorious stretch.

"We really advise the drivers, most of whom are regular drivers on this road, to be careful as they approach this area," Lang’at stated.

Eight survivors of the Twin's Bridge crash were initially rushed to Londiani Sub-County Hospital before being transferred to Nakuru Level Five Hospital for specialized treatment. 

The wreckage was towed to the Mau Summit Police Post pending further investigations.

In a separate tragedy on Friday, five people died instantly and more than 20 others sustained injuries in Kitui County after a lorry ferrying traders from Ikutha to Kasaala Shopping Centre lost control and overturned.

The bodies of the Kitui victims were moved to the Mutomo Level 5 Hospital morgue, while the injured continue to receive emergency care at Ikutha and Mutomo hospitals.