Nakuru Tragedy: Two Killed, 20 Injured in Ngata Blackspot Matatu Collision

A deadly accident along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway claimed the lives of two people and left 20 others injured on Sunday, September 8, 2024. The crash occurred at the notorious Ngata blackspot, a location infamous for numerous road accidents, raising further concerns about the dangers of this stretch of road. The collision involved two matatus, resulting in fatalities and injuries among passengers, including six athletes who were returning from the 2024 Nairobi City Marathon.

According to witnesses and survivors, the crash happened when one of the matatus began speeding after a passenger disembarked in the Sobea area. The driver, seemingly in a rush to get back on the road, lost control as the vehicle accelerated, leading to the collision with another matatu traveling in the opposite direction. Lewis Mbasu, one of the survivors currently receiving treatment at a Nakuru hospital, recounted how the driver’s decision to speed after stopping contributed to the devastating accident.

“The driver began accelerating right after we dropped off a passenger. We hadn’t gone far from Sobea when the speeding became noticeable. Suddenly, we were in a head-on collision with another matatu,” Mbasu recalled. His fellow passenger, Lewis Kipkemboi, also shared how the crash happened just moments after they had resumed their journey following a brief stop in Nakuru after the marathon.

“We had stopped for about an hour in Nakuru. After we resumed the journey, just a few kilometers down the road, the accident happened. I still can’t understand how it all unfolded so fast,” Kipkemboi added.

The aftermath of the crash was devastating, with the two fatalities being confirmed at the scene. Emergency services quickly responded to the incident, helping transport the injured passengers to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention. Among the injured were six athletes who had just completed the Nairobi Marathon, now battling physical injuries from the collision.

Medical personnel at the hospital, where the survivors were taken, worked tirelessly to attend to the injured. Boniface Tirop, a medical officer at the facility, reported that some of the patients had already been treated and discharged. “A number of the injured individuals received immediate care and have since been discharged. We are monitoring the remaining patients, but we expect that they will also be released soon after further evaluation and treatment,” Tirop explained.

The tragedy at Ngata adds to a growing list of road accidents that have occurred at the blackspot, a particularly dangerous section of the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway. In recent years, Ngata has become a well-known danger zone for drivers, with a high number of accidents caused by speeding, poor road conditions, and lack of proper signage or speed limits. This latest accident has reignited concerns about the need for stricter traffic regulations and enhanced road safety measures along this highway.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has frequently warned about the dangers of Ngata, yet accidents continue to occur. The area is notorious for sharp bends, steep gradients, and heavy traffic, making it particularly hazardous for public service vehicles like matatus, which often operate under time pressure, leading to dangerous driving practices such as speeding and reckless overtaking.

The two fatalities from this accident bring sorrow to their families, who are now grieving the loss of their loved ones. The survivors, many of whom suffered fractures, cuts, and other injuries, will also need time to recover both physically and emotionally from the traumatic experience.

As Kenya grapples with the increasing number of road accidents, especially on key highways like the Nakuru-Eldoret Road, calls for better enforcement of traffic laws are growing louder. Many Kenyans are urging authorities to introduce stricter penalties for speeding, dangerous driving, and poor vehicle maintenance. Additionally, there is a need for improved road infrastructure, such as the installation of speed bumps, cameras, and signage, to curb the rising number of accidents at notorious blackspots like Ngata.

In light of this tragic incident, the government has reiterated its commitment to enhancing road safety measures and has promised to conduct thorough investigations into the accident. However, for the families affected by this crash, the devastating consequences of unsafe driving practices will be felt for a long time to come. The community and the nation as a whole are once again reminded of the importance of road safety and the urgent need for effective measures to prevent further loss of life on Kenyan roads.