A Saturday morning journey along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway turned tragic after a collision between a 14-seater matatu and a lorry at the notorious Twin Bridge section. The accident, which occurred on September 14, 2024, left 11 passengers trapped in the wreckage, their lives hanging in the balance. Fortunately, despite the severity of the crash, no fatalities were reported, and all the injured individuals were rushed to Molo Sub-County Hospital for urgent medical attention.
The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) and the police responded swiftly to the scene, coordinating a rescue operation that saw the trapped victims freed from the mangled matatu. Their prompt action ensured that all the injured were transported safely to the hospital for treatment, avoiding further complications that could have arisen had the rescue been delayed.
Accident at a Known Black Spot
The Twin Bridge area of the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway is infamous for frequent accidents. The stretch has earned a reputation as a black spot, often attributed to the high speed of vehicles and the challenging terrain of the road. Saturday’s collision is a stark reminder of the dangers that drivers and passengers alike face when traveling along this route.
The 14-seater matatu was traveling towards Eldoret when it collided head-on with a lorry coming from the opposite direction. Eyewitnesses reported that the accident occurred when one of the vehicles was attempting to overtake another, misjudging the distance between the oncoming lorry and the matatu. The collision was severe, leaving the matatu badly damaged and trapping the passengers inside.
Bystanders quickly alerted emergency services, and rescue teams arrived at the scene within minutes. The Kenya Red Cross, in collaboration with local police, worked tirelessly to free the injured passengers from the wreckage, using specialized equipment to cut through the twisted metal. Despite the chaos and panic that followed the crash, rescue workers remained calm and professional, ensuring that the injured were extracted safely.
Swift Rescue Efforts Save Lives
Thanks to the rapid response of the Kenya Red Cross and police, all 11 injured individuals were rescued from the crash site and transported to Molo Sub-County Hospital. Medical professionals at the hospital confirmed that the injuries ranged from minor to serious but were quick to emphasize that no lives had been lost in the accident.
“We were able to save everyone involved in the crash. While some of the injuries are serious, we are thankful that there were no fatalities,” a KRCS representative said in a statement. The prompt medical attention provided to the victims ensured that their injuries did not worsen, and hospital staff are closely monitoring their conditions.
The police have since cleared the wreckage from the highway, ensuring that traffic flow returned to normal. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the accident, but preliminary reports suggest that reckless overtaking and speeding may have been contributing factors.
Growing Concern Over Road Safety
This latest accident adds to the rising number of road traffic incidents reported across Kenya in recent months. The Nakuru-Eldoret Highway, in particular, has been a source of concern for road safety authorities. Despite increased efforts by the government to enforce traffic laws, including the introduction of speed bumps and the deployment of more traffic officers along major highways, accidents like the one at Twin Bridge continue to occur.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has been vocal about the need for stricter adherence to road safety regulations. Over the years, the NTSA has launched campaigns aimed at educating the public on road safety, including the dangers of speeding, reckless driving, and the importance of regular vehicle maintenance. However, with the increasing number of road users and commercial vehicles, the task of ensuring safety on Kenya’s highways remains a challenge.
Saturday’s accident has sparked renewed calls from road users and safety advocates for the government to step up its efforts in curbing road traffic accidents. Many have pointed to the need for additional safety measures at black spots like Twin Bridge, where the frequency of accidents has caused alarm among commuters. Proposals such as the installation of more speed cameras, improved signage, and stricter penalties for traffic violations have been floated as potential solutions.
A National Issue
The issue of road safety extends beyond Nakuru and the Eldoret Highway. Across Kenya, accidents claim thousands of lives every year, with the majority of incidents involving public service vehicles (PSVs) and commercial trucks. In response to this, the government has ramped up its enforcement of traffic laws, introducing tough penalties for drivers caught breaking the law and carrying out random vehicle inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Despite these efforts, road accidents remain a leading cause of death and injury in Kenya. Safety advocates continue to push for more comprehensive reforms, including better driver training programs, improved road infrastructure, and the promotion of safe driving practices.
As the victims of the Nakuru-Eldoret highway collision recover, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life on Kenya’s roads. The efforts of the Kenya Red Cross and police were commendable in preventing further loss, but the country still has a long way to go in achieving safer roads for all.
While Saturday’s crash may not have resulted in fatalities, the scars—both physical and emotional—will linger for those involved, as the country grapples with the broader issue of road safety.
