Three killed, 13 injured in Nairobi-Mombasa highway crash

The accident occurred at about 1.40am near the Naivas, as both vehicles were travelling from Nairobi towards Mombasa.

Police said the Toyota Vitz, registration number KDW 815V, driven by Bernard Odhiambo, rammed into the rear of a Toyota Hiace matatu, registration number KDU 943U, operated by Makata Sacco.

The matatu was being driven by David Masaku Musyoka and had 16 passengers on board.

According to the police report, the Vitz driver failed to maintain a safe following distance before hitting the matatu from behind. The impact caused both vehicles to lose control and veer off the road, landing in a ditch on the left side of the highway.

Three passengers died at the scene.

They were identified as 53-year-old Joash Olima Geoffrey, who sustained chest injuries; 51-year-old Geoffrey Kilonzo Nguli, who sustained head injuries; and about 50-year-old Thomas Ochola Okongo, who also sustained head injuries.

Musyoka sustained head injuries, while 12 passengers were injured and rushed to Lifecare Hospital for treatment.

The injured passengers include Lucy Muange, Moses Namtali, Peter Odongo, David Mutuku, Faith Bahati Makau, Mercy Mutua, Martin Mutua, Lucy Nancy Obunga, Hesbon Nyabuga, Dominic Muthoka, Justus Muinde, and David Mutuku Mutisya.

Most of the injured sustained head injuries, while others suffered neck, chest, hand and leg injuries. One passenger, Martin Mutua, lost two front teeth and sustained an injury to his right leg, while Obunga reported chest pain in addition to head injuries.

Police visited the scene and commenced investigations into the crash.

Both vehicles were extensively damaged and were towed to the police station yard, where they were detained pending inspection.

The bodies of the three victims were moved to the Shalom Community Hospital mortuary, where they are awaiting autopsy.