Four people have lost their lives and 16 others injured after a lorry crashed into vehicles, motorists and pedestrians in Riverland area of Meru town on Thursday night, October 8, 2026.

The accident, which involved several vehicles, took place along Meru-Nkubu Road and left an injured person rushed to the nearby Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital while the bodies of those who died in the line of duty were taken to the mortuary.

According to The Eastleigh Voice news site, police are investigating the cause of the accident after a police report revealed that the lorry, which was carrying compost manure, skidded out of control due to failure of the brakes and poor weather conditions. The lorry driver lost control of the vehicle and ran over a matatu waiting at the roadside before running over motorists and motorists. It then went on to crash into several vehicles before overturning.

Meru Deputy Governor Lindah Kiome Gitonga was on the scene of the accident, paying tribute to the fatalities and advising those involved to be patient while the emergency personnel attended to the injured.

“I have just heard of the sad incident that occurred in Riverland Area of Meru Municipality and I want my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the people involved in this unfortunate event,” Ms Gitonga tweeted.

The deputy governor also wished an speedy recovery for those who survived the accident as she noted that county emergency personnel, including those from health department, special programs and fire and rescue services, were on the scene of the accident.

Ms Gitonga urged the people of Meru and the general public to avoid spreading false information regarding the accident and to leave the emergency response and investigation team to do their work.

Police said the wreckage was already cleared from the scene of the accident with the vehicles towed to a secure place for tests as they continue to probe the cause of the accident. The accident is the latest in a string of road accidents that have occurred in Kenya within the past week, leaving many people dead and injured.

Just last weekend, 17 people died and many others were injured in an accident involving a pick-up and a minibus taxi in Salama, Makueni County as people headed to the Subukia National Shrine. It remains to be seen what the cause of the Meru accident will be as police investigate.