Seven people have been confirmed dead following a head-on collision between a matatu and a truck at Miasenyi in Taita-Taveta County, along the Nairobi–Mombasa highway.
Witnesses at the scene said the early Sunday, December 7, morning crash occurred when the Kinatwa Sacco shuttle, en route to Mombasa, attempted to overtake several vehicles before colliding directly with the oncoming lorry. The impact left the matatu extensively damaged.
In photos seen by The Kenya Times, the front section of the matatu is completely crushed, with the cabin caved inward and its metal frame twisted beyond recognition.
Matatu collides head-on with a truck
The vehicle’s roof was also torn open, with seats exposed through the mangled shell due to the force of the collision. Various belongings were also seen scattered around the scene.
The bodies of the victims, including that of the driver, were moved to the Moi County Referral Hospital morgue in Voi. Those who sustained injuries were also rushed to the same facility for treatment as police opened investigations into the circumstances of the crash.
Authorities have urged motorists to exercise heightened caution, especially as traffic volumes continue to rise during the Christmas travel period.
The crash follows remarks by Traffic Police Commandant Fredrick Ochieng, who on Monday, December 1, 2025, announced that the government has put in place strengthened enforcement operations on major highways and key routes nationwide.
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Ochieng while speaking to journalists during a one-day stakeholders’ consultative meeting convened by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) at the Utalii Hotel said officers will issue instant fines to offenders as part of comprehensive efforts to reduce road crashes during the festive travel period.
Police to enforce strict measures to curb rising festive season accidents
The measures will also include collaboration with the courts to ensure drivers are penalized immediately after violating traffic rules, alongside the deployment of speed guns and breathalyzers to catch speeding and intoxicated motorists.
Ochieng emphasized that many deadly crashes occur at night, noting that police presence will now be maintained continuously.
“We have made all the necessary arrangements to ensure adherence to traffic rules and regulations from Nairobi to Kisumu and Malaba, from Nairobi to Mombasa and all the other highways, by ensuring physical presence of traffic police on a 24-hour basis,” he stated.
NTSA Director for Safety Andrew Kiplagat on his part highlighted that historically, the Christmas season sees a sharp rise in serious and fatal crashes.
Also Read: How Couple Died in Ambulance Accident Hours After Wife Survived Another Crash
Kiplagat assured participants that the Authority would work closely with all partners to maintain safe roads throughout the holiday period. He stressed that excessive speed and alcohol consumption remain leading factors in deadly incidents and called for joint responsibility in curbing violations.
“We want all the stakeholders to commit that the necessary measures are taken to minimise accidents and deaths on the roads. Those who operate PSVs as well as heavy commercial vehicles must ensure they do not allow them on the roads if they are unroadworthy,” Kiplagat said.
Rise in fatalities
Road Safety Association of Kenya Chairman David Kiarie told the gathering that over 5,000 lives have already been lost on Kenyan roads since the year began. He urged government agencies to take stronger, results-oriented action, noting that repeated meetings have not translated into reduced fatalities.
Kiarie pointed out that boda bodas and trucks are responsible for a significant portion of fatal crashes, partly because many of these vehicles skip mandatory inspections.
Speed Governors and Road Safety Association Chairman Edward Gitonga said his organization will undertake a large-scale inspection of speed governors in roughly 400,000 vehicles during the festive season to verify compliance. He noted that the free rechecking exercise will cover PSVs, school buses, lorries, and tourist transport vehicles.
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