At least six individuals lost their lives in a severe collision involving a private van, a trailer, and a 14-seater matatu at Lessos Junction near Mlima Punda on the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway. Among the deceased were three students.
The crash occurred on Thursday, prompting emergency teams, police officers, and local residents to conduct rescue operations to free trapped passengers from the wreckage. The injured were transported to Burnt Forest Hospital and Plateau Hospital for urgent medical care.
Uasin Gishu County Traffic Enforcement Officer Cornelius Chesimet confirmed the incident and stated that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash.
Images from the scene revealed extensive damage to the matatu, with its passenger side torn open, roof crushed, and windows shattered, highlighting the impact's severity.
Context of Road Safety Concerns
This tragedy follows closely on the heels of another fatal accident on the Muhoroni-Londiani Highway, which claimed two lives and injured 26 passengers after a funeral bus lost control and overturned near Fort Ternan.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) reports that over 2,150 people have died in road accidents across Kenya during the first half of 2026, with pedestrians, motorcyclists, and passengers being the most affected groups.
Authorities continue to call for heightened caution among drivers and adherence to traffic laws as investigations into these incidents proceed.
