Several passengers were seriously injured after a Nakuru-bound matatu was involved in a road accident at Kijabe in Kiambu County on Monday morning, prompting a major emergency response and renewed concerns over road safety along the busy Nairobi–Nakuru Highway.
The accident occurred at around 9 a.m., according to police, with emergency responders, traffic officers and members of the public rushing to the scene to rescue passengers trapped inside the damaged vehicle before they were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Authorities had not confirmed any fatalities by the time of publication, while the identities of those injured were yet to be released as police continued assessing the scene and gathering information.
Police said investigations had been launched to establish what caused the crash.
“The accident occurred at around 9 a.m. Investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances that led to the crash,” police officers at the scene said.
Preliminary reports indicate the matatu was travelling towards Nakuru when it was involved in the accident along the Kijabe section of the highway. However, investigators had not established whether another vehicle was involved or whether mechanical failure, speeding or road conditions contributed to the crash.
The Nairobi–Nakuru Highway is one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors, serving thousands of private motorists, public service vehicles and commercial trucks every day. The Kijabe stretch, in particular, is known for its steep descent, winding corners and heavy traffic, factors that often require motorists to exercise extra caution.
The latest crash briefly disrupted traffic as police managed the flow of vehicles and recovery teams worked to clear the accident scene. Motorists experienced delays before normal traffic resumed.
Emergency medical teams transported the injured to nearby health facilities, where they were admitted for treatment. Authorities had not released details on the condition of the victims, indicating that verification of casualties was still underway.
The accident adds to a growing list of crashes reported along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway, a route that has continued to record serious road accidents despite ongoing enforcement operations by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Traffic Police.
Road safety experts have consistently attributed many crashes on the corridor to speeding, dangerous overtaking, mechanical defects and failure by motorists to observe traffic regulations, particularly on steep sections of the highway.
Police are expected to inspect the matatu, interview witnesses and review the circumstances surrounding the incident before releasing a comprehensive report on the cause of the crash.
As investigations continue, authorities have appealed to motorists to remain vigilant and cooperate with traffic officers to enhance safety on one of the country’s busiest highways.