Nine people have died and one other person sustained serious injuries after a lorry reportedly lost control and collided with a tuk-tuk carrying farm workers along the Mwea–Embu Road near Murubara in Kirinyaga County.

The victims were travelling to a rice farm where they had been hired to work when the crash occurred on Saturday morning. Police said most of the occupants of the three-wheeler died at the scene, while the injured survivor was rushed to hospital for treatment.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the lorry, which was transporting goods and heading towards Embu, lost control before veering into the opposite lane and crashing head-on into the tuk-tuk. The force of the impact extensively damaged the three-wheeler, trapping several occupants inside.

Confirming the incident, Mwea East Sub-County Police Commander Stephen Okal said emergency responders and members of the public rushed to the scene to rescue the victims.

“Most of the victims died on the spot, while the injured were taken to hospital for treatment,” Okal said.

Police said the victims had left Kimbimbi and were heading to the Mwea Irrigation Scheme for casual farm work when the collision occurred. The bodies of the deceased were later moved to a local mortuary pending identification by relatives and post-mortem examinations.

The driver of the lorry survived the crash and is assisting police with investigations. Authorities said detectives are working to establish the exact cause of the accident, including whether mechanical failure, speeding or driver error may have contributed to the collision.

While some eyewitnesses claimed the lorry appeared to lose control moments before the crash, police have urged the public to await the outcome of official investigations before drawing conclusions.

The accident has once again drawn attention to road safety along the Mwea–Embu Highway, a busy transport corridor frequently used by commercial vehicles, public service operators and agricultural workers travelling to and from the Mwea rice-growing region. Residents have repeatedly raised concerns over speeding, dangerous overtaking and sections of the road they consider hazardous.

Road safety experts have consistently urged motorists to observe speed limits, ensure vehicles are mechanically roadworthy and exercise caution when approaching areas with mixed traffic, including motorcycles, tuk-tuks and pedestrians.

According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), reducing fatal road crashes remains a national priority, with enforcement efforts focusing on speeding, reckless driving, overloading and compliance with traffic regulations. The authority has repeatedly appealed to all road users to exercise greater responsibility, particularly on highways that carry heavy commercial traffic.

Saturday’s collision adds to the growing number of fatal road accidents reported across the country in recent weeks, underscoring the continuing challenge of improving road safety despite ongoing enforcement and public awareness campaigns.

Police said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing, and a comprehensive report will guide any further legal or administrative action. Authorities have also appealed to motorists to remain vigilant and strictly adhere to traffic laws to help reduce the number of preventable road fatalities.