A family’s celebration at an Administration Police pass-out parade in Nairobi turned into tragedy hours later after two of its members died in a road accident along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway on September 5.
The two were among five people killed after an Eldoret-bound matatu collided with a stationary trailer at the Twins Bridge black spot in the early morning hours.
According to the surviving family member, the family had traveled to Nairobi on September 4 to attend the Administration Police pass-out parade of their relative in Embakasi.
After the ceremony, the family members began their journey back home, but the trip ended tragically when the matatu they were traveling in crashed at Twins Bridge.
Following the accident, the casualties were rushed to the hospital for treatment, with the deceased being taken to the Londiani Hospital mortuary, where Mercy Kibiwot identified her departed family members.
Mercy also noted that among the five, one of the departed was also her neighbor, who had also traveled for the Administration Police Pass Out Parade in Nairobi.
“After arriving at the Londiani, I was told that some had been referred to Nakuru, and I identified that the deceased were my mother, my cousin, and a neighbor. Losing three people at the same time is heavy and painful,” Mercy Kibiwot stated.
Kibiwot had traveled to Nairobi with other family members and made a last-minute decision to board a different vehicle.
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Officials on the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway Crash
Speaking during an interview on September 5, the Kuresoi Area Base Commander Williy Lagat explained that the matatu, belonging to Kapsawara Sacco, was speeding when it rammed into the stationary trailer.
Lagat also attributed the accident to speeding and bad weather, urging motorists using the busy highway to exercise greater caution.
Additionally, the Base Commander advised drivers to observe lane discipline and slow down when approaching the Twins Bridge section, especially at night.
“And we really advise the drivers, most of them are regular on this road, as they approach this point, they should be really careful,” Willy Lagat stated.
According to Lagat, the eight survivors of the Nakuru-Eldoret crash were initially taken to Londiani Sub-County Hospital before being transferred to Nakuru Level 5 Hospital for further treatment.
The wreckage of the matatu was later towed to Mau Summit Police Station, where it was kept pending further investigations.
Also Read: Police Officer and His Daughter Die on the Spot in Fatal Accident
Trailer Driver Recounts Events Leading to the Crash
According to the trailer driver, his vehicle had issues with the gear, and he had stopped it, awaiting the mechanics to fix the vehicle, along with the police officers who were present at the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway.
However, the 14-seater matatu crashed into the stationary trailer from behind.
In a separate accident in Kitui, five people died on the spot, and more than 20 others were injured after a lorry ferrying traders from Ikutha to Kasaala Shopping Center lost control and overturned on Friday.
The injured were taken to Ikutha and Mutomo hospitals, while the deceased were moved to the Mutomo Level 5 Hospital mortuary.
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