Kericho

Fatal Kericho Highway Crash Claims Five Lives on Christmas Morning

KERICHO – A devastating road collision has left five people dead and two others critically injured along the Kericho-Nakuru highway during Christmas Day festivities.

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The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Thursday morning near Kedowa Trading Centre when a Toyota Probox collided head-on with a Mercedes-Benz Actros trailer. Emergency responders arriving at the scene found five passengers had perished instantly, while two survivors were evacuated to Kericho County Hospital with severe injuries.

James Nyatich, the county police commander, disclosed that the incident took place at approximately 5:00 am as the Probox, carrying six young male passengers, encountered the oncoming truck in the Kedowa vicinity. Investigators suspect excessive speed may have contributed to the fatal collision with the Nakuru-bound trailer.

Authorities believe the deceased were family members returning from holiday festivities when tragedy struck. The investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the crash remains ongoing.

This catastrophic accident has pushed the three-day death toll from road collisions to 36, based on statistics from the National Transport and Safety Authority. A day prior to this incident, NTSA had documented 31 fatalities across multiple crashes nationwide within just 48 hours. Among these was a particularly devastating collision along the Eldoret-Webuye highway in Lugari that claimed eight lives as passengers journeyed home for Christmas.

NTSA’s analysis reveals that pedestrians and vehicle passengers account for the majority of casualties, with motorcyclists and their riders forming the second-largest group of victims.

The festive period has historically witnessed a surge in road tragedies as Kenyans travel across the country to reunite with loved ones. Despite this recurring pattern, NTSA has pledged to intensify its road safety initiatives, deploying comprehensive resources to protect travelers.

Since December 20, enforcement teams have documented 1,702 traffic violations involving various vehicle categories, resulting in 42 driver arrests and numerous vehicles being flagged for non-compliance with safety regulations.

Transport authorities continue urging motorists to exercise heightened caution, adhere strictly to speed regulations, avoid alcohol consumption while driving, and maintain proper lane discipline throughout the holiday season to prevent further loss of life on Kenyan roads.