Eight killed, 10 others injured as lorry, matatu collide in Meru

Eight people were killed and 10 others injured after their matatu collided with a lorry head-on at Gikumene along the Meru-Nairobi road Thursday.

Imenti North OCPD Sammy Kosgei said the accident occurred after the driver of the lorry lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a sharp bend at Gikumene. Witnesses claim the lorry was speeding.

Mr Kosgei admitted that the matatu was overloaded saying: “From what we have gathered the matatu must have been overloaded at the time of the accident.”

The early morning accident aroused outrage among Meru residents who wondered how the matatu passed through several traffic police checkpoints undetected.

“This is a classic example of how traffic police are failing in their duties. Can the police explain how this matatu passed through all their checks without being detected. The Inspector General of Police does not need any other evidence about what corruption is doing in our roads,” a resident, Moses Kinoti said.

“Four of the passengers died on the spot while the others died while undergoing treatment at Meru Level Five Hospital,” said Kosgei.

Witnesses said the lorry is one of those that ferry miraa from northern Meru to Nairobi.

“We are not sure it is a miraa carrier because it was empty at the time of the accident,” said Kosgei.