"My vehicle was only scratched. I am very lucky to be alive."
Those are the words of Stephen Weru, the driver of a Subaru who had been travelling behind the ill-fated matatu that collided head-on with a trailer at Kariandusi in Gilgil on Sunday, killing thirteen people on the spot.
Weru recalled the chilling moment when the matatu veered abruptly into the opposite lane.
"He was not overtaking. I am sure he might have fallen asleep because the matatu just moved to the other lane without any reason," he said.
He remembers the sound of the trailer honking desperately before impact.
"When the lorry hit the matatu, I was almost hit too, but I forcefully drove my car off the road, avoiding the accident. My vehicle was only scratched," he said, still shaken.
Once he scrambled out of his Subaru, Weru rushed to the wreckage, trying to save survivors.
"I hit the window with my hand, injuring it, in a bid to rescue a child who survived," he said, describing how he managed to reach the young girl.
CCTV footage seen by TNX Africa confirmed Weru's account.
The footage, taken from a nearby premises, shows traffic moving normally on the busy A104 before tragedy struck shortly after midday.
The matatu is seen driving on the right side of the road, apparently overtaking another vehicle.
As it attempts to pass, the SUV on its left speeds up, seemingly to allow it space to return to its lane before an oncoming trailer closes in.
However, the matatu fails to move back in time, leading to a devastating collision.
In a split second, the impact sends up a cloud of dust as the matatu is crushed and shoved to the roadside.
Nakuru County Police Commander Emmanuel Opuru confirmed that thirteen people died on the spot.
"The bodies were moved to Gilgil Sub-County mortuary, awaiting postmortem. The three who survived, including two children and the trailer driver, were rushed to Gilgil hospital," he said.
Although initial reports suggest the passengers may have been members of one extended family, Opuru noted that investigations are underway to confirm their identities.
Witnesses described harrowing scenes as they attempted to rescue those trapped.
"We rescued a child, a girl, and an old man believed to be the driver of the trailer," said Samuel Kamau, a resident.
Another witness, Patrick Atuya, admitted the trauma of seeing more than ten bodies removed from the matatu.
"It is devastating because there were children and parents whose lives were cut short," he said.
Opuru cautioned motorists against dangerous driving and urged the Kenya National Highways Authority to address what he termed a blackspot.
