More than 10 people are feared dead after a truck lost control and crashed into several vehicles and motorcycles at Malaha junction along the Webuye–Kitale Highway on Monday, March 9.
Witnesses say the truck veered off the road at high speed before ploughing into private cars, boda bodas, and pedestrians at the busy Malaha area during the early hours of the morning.
The impact left bodies on the tarmac and wrecked vehicles scattered across the area.
Preliminary witness accounts suggest the truck may have suffered mechanical failure before the driver lost control.
Residents at the scene say the vehicle appeared to accelerate rather than slow as it approached the Malaha section.
The truck then veered sharply, hitting motorcycles and private cars before coming to a stop several metres ahead.
Webuye–Kitale Highway Crash Emergency Response
Ambulances from Webuye and nearby health centres responded to the scene as rescue operations intensified.
Red Cross volunteers, health workers, and residents helped move survivors into ambulances and private vehicles.
Police restricted access to the area and controlled traffic to allow rescue operations, advising motorists to avoid the Malaha section as the road remained partially closed.
The Webuye–Kitale Highway remains one of western Kenya’s busiest and most hazardous routes, with heavy trucks, buses, and boda bodas sharing narrow stretches that often lack proper safety controls.
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Increased Accident Fatalities
Kenya has recorded a major rise in road accidents in 2026, with 398 people killed in January alone, an 11 percent increase compared with January last year.
Police data also shows 854 crashes in the first 30 days of 2026, up from 850 during the same period in 2025.
Pedestrians and motorcyclists remain the most affected groups, with 143 pedestrian deaths and 102 motorcyclist deaths recorded in January alone.
Police have identified speeding and reckless overtaking as major causes of the increase in accidents on Kenyan roads, yet enforcement teams are still unable to curb these violations effectively, especially on highways like the Northern Corridor and urban blackspots.
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Most deadly crashes were recorded during night hours, with police acknowledging they lacked the personnel and continuous presence needed to enforce safety rules during the riskiest time of day.
Heavy Losses Experienced During Road Accidents in Kenya
Road accidents cost Kenya about Ksh48.5 billion every year, according to a March 2026 Ministry of Health and National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ report.
Separately, government estimates show that Kenya loses approximately Ksh450 billion annually, nearly 5% of GDP, lost productivity, long recovery periods, permanent disabilities, property damage, insurance payouts, vehicle repair costs, and disruptions to supply chains.
Road crashes also overwhelm the public health system, filling emergency units and trauma wards across major hospitals.
Many victims are young and economically active, meaning accidents remove skilled workers from the labour market.
Families often face sudden medical bills and loss of income, pushing many households into long-term financial hardship.
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