A late-night collision on Mombasa Road has left several people feared dead after a PSV matatu and a saloon car crashed near Syokimau on Thursday, August 20.
The accident happened between Quiver Mombasa Road and Katani, with preliminary reports indicating that at least eight people may have died. The exact number of fatalities and injuries had not been officially confirmed at the time.
The two vehicles were badly damaged in the collision and ended up in a ditch. The matatu, which could carry up to 18 passengers, suffered heavy damage, particularly around the front section. Its windscreen was badly damaged and the driver’s cabin appeared severely affected.
Further damage could also be seen on the rear and driver’s side of the matatu, with parts of the vehicle appearing to have caved in during the impact.
The black saloon car was also extensively damaged. It landed in the ditch with its front facing downwards while part of its rear remained above the ground.
Preliminary information indicated that the matatu was travelling towards Nairobi while the saloon car was heading towards Katani when the collision occurred. However, the circumstances that led to the crash remained unclear.
Emergency response teams arrived at the scene and began efforts to assist those involved. The number of people rescued and the extent of injuries among survivors had not been established.
Police are expected to investigate the crash and determine how the two vehicles collided. The investigation will seek to establish the events leading to the accident and whether any factors contributed to the crash.
The incident came amid a series of serious road accidents reported across the country during the week.
On Monday, August 17, two people were reported dead following a collision involving a Range Rover and a motorcycle along Riverside Drive in Westlands, Nairobi. The motorcycle rider and the Range Rover driver reportedly died at the scene, while other occupants of the vehicle were taken to hospital.
Road safety concerns have remained high as more crashes continue to be reported in different parts of the country. The Kenya Red Cross reported that 31 people had died and 75 others sustained serious injuries in 23 road crashes during the first two weeks of August alone.
The Mombasa Road crash adds to the growing number of serious accidents being recorded on Kenyan roads and is likely to renew calls for motorists to exercise greater caution while using busy highways.