Three people killed, 13 critically injured after matatu rams into a stationery lorry in Nakuru

Nakuru, Kenya: Three people perished on Saturday evening following a grisly traffic accident that occurred at Midways area near Egerton University gate at Njoro in Nakuru County.

Another 13 people were critically injured during the 9pm incident which occurred after a matatu rammed into a stationery lorry crumbling into the occupants killing two on the spot.

Nakuru County Commandant John Koki confirmed the incident saying that the matatu was headed to Mau Narok before it hit the lorry.

"The matatu hit the lorry from behind mangling its body.It occurred at around 9pm leading to heavy traffic jam on the road," said Koki.

Hospital authorities at Egerton Medical Department where seven of the injured were rushed to said one man succumbed to injuries upon arrival to the facility while the two died at the scene.

Calvin Onditi a clinical officer who led a team of medics in administering first aid to the victims pronounced the man dead minutes after he arrived at the hospital.

"I received a total of seven victims.It seems the accident was bad.One man died upon arrival.We have treated and discharged two who sustained minor injuries.Four are still admitted," said Onditi adding he had contacted the police to transport the body to the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital  mortuary.

However, a survivor, Joseph Mkubwa said the ill-fated matatu overloaded and was being carelessly driven.He said passengers had complained to the driver after it narrowly evaded an accident before Njoro town, moments before the tragic accident.

"The driver never heeded calls by passengers to slow down.He was constantly chewing miraa and the conductor appeared drunk.We were overcrowded in the vehicle and they also overcharged us," he recalled.

A samaritan Paul Kamua who ferried six victims to Nakuru Provincial General Hospital accused drivers who ferried potatoes from Mau Narok of driving at full-light at the road leading to numerous accidents along the Soilo-Njoro-Mauche stretch.

"These lorries christened "vuvuzelas" drive only at night and at high speed.They carry potatoes and green maize to Nakuru town, we ask them to be considerate while using the road" he said.