Eight killed along Mombasa highway

Eight people have been killed in two different accidents along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.

In the first accident, five people were killed when two cars collided.

In the second one, three soldiers died after their lorry rolled.

The first five were killed at Kanga area along Tsavo Park stretch between Voi and Mtito Andei.

The bodies were taken to Voi General Hospital.

Makueni County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed said a Mombasa-bound car was trying to overtake a trailer when it collided with another vehicle.

"A Toyota Fielder and Toyota Allion met head-on. The Allion was overtaking and it seems the driver underestimated the distance between him and the Filder, causing the accident," said Mr Maalim.

"There were some other people who were injured and taken to Voi Hospital," he added.

In the second accident, the three soldiers died after a lorry they were travelling in rolled several times at Kiu, towards Sultan Hamud.

The lorry had nine Kenya Defence Forces soldiers, who were headed to Mombasa.

One died on the spot, while the other two died while receiving treatment at Sultan Hamud Hospital.

Elsewhere, scores of travelers were injured along Wote-Machakos road after the bus they were travelling in veered off the road and tumbled.

Those injured were taken to Makueni Level 4 hospital.

Maalim urged drivers to be careful during this season. "Police officers on the highways can't be everywhere. Life must be taken seriously," he said.