Six die in road accident involving matatu and truck

The wreckage of a Nissan matatu hit by a truck in Nyakairu centre, Naivasha, on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.

Six people died and nine others sustained injuries in a road accident involving a matatu and a truck on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.

The accident at Nyakairu centre, 15km from Naivasha town, occurred on Saturday night after the truck and matatu collided.

Five people died on the spot while the sixth died while undergoing treatment at Naivasha Sub-county Hospital.

A major traffic snarl-up built up on the busy highway before police came to tow away the wreckage of the matatu.

According to Naivasha Road Safety Association Chairman James Kabono, the lorry driver was to blame for the accident.

Mr Kabono said the driver left his lane while overtaking and hit the matatu.

"The crash was as a result of careless driving."

He said it was time traffic officers who man the highways took their job seriously.

“For the past two days we have not had traffic officers on the road and as result, drivers have been speeding," said Kabono

Speed bumps

Naivasha East MCA Stanley Karanja said it was time speed bumps were erected on the black spot to reduce fatal accidents.

He noted that since the year began, at least six motorcycle operators have been killed by speeding motorists on that section of the road.

“It’s a sad day that we have lost six people in this accident. It could have been avoided if traffic officers handled the speeding drivers,” Mr Karanja said

Naivasha deputy OCPD John Kwasa said the bodies of victims were taken to the county hospital mortuary.

“There was a fatal accident involving a matatu and a truck. Six people died while nine others were seriously injured,” Mr Kwasa said.

He called on drivers to be cautious, especially on that section of the road. The officer said that according to police data, speeding and overtaking carelessly was the cause of major accidents.