Survivor Recounts Horrific Collision: Five Dead in Nakuru Highway Tragedy
A harrowing road accident on the third day of the new year has left a community in mourning and a survivor deeply shaken. Shadrack Almasi, the driver of a 16-seater matatu belonging to Great Rift, recounted the terrifying moments leading up to a collision that claimed the lives of five passengers and left others injured. The incident, which occurred in Kikopey, Gilgil, Nakuru county, along the busy Nakuru–Nairobi Highway, serves as a stark reminder of the perils of the road.
The Great Rift shuttle was en route from Nairobi to Bungoma when the tragedy struck. Almasi, who narrowly escaped death, described the sequence of events that led to the devastating crash.
The Moments of Impact
Almasi explained that the accident unfolded rapidly and unexpectedly. He was travelling at a moderate speed of approximately 50 kilometres per hour, with traffic flowing normally. However, his journey was violently interrupted by a trailer that was following him.
“There was a trailer that was following me which hit the matatu from behind, pushing my vehicle into another stationary trailer that was parked by the roadside,” Almasi stated. “Some passengers died on the spot.”
He expressed his confusion regarding the exact cause of the accident, emphasizing that his own vehicle was in good working order. Eyewitness accounts, however, suggested a critical mechanical failure on the part of the trailing trailer. It is believed that the trailer may have lost its brakes, a factor that likely contributed significantly to the force of the impact.
A Fleeing Perpetrator and Swift Response
Adding to the trauma of the incident, the driver of the trailer that initiated the collision reportedly fled the scene immediately after the crash. Almasi confirmed this, stating, “Witnesses said the driver who hit us from behind alighted from the trailer and fled the scene immediately. I did not see him at all.”
Following the collision, police officers arrived promptly at the scene. They were tasked with assessing the situation, confirming the fatalities, and initiating investigations into the cause of the crash. Their immediate actions also included assisting in the rescue of survivors and the retrieval of the deceased. The bodies of those who lost their lives were subsequently transported to various morgues.
A Plea for Road Safety
Deeply affected by the loss of life, Almasi extended his condolences to the grieving families. He also took the opportunity to issue a strong appeal to fellow drivers, urging them to strictly adhere to road rules and regulations.
“I am sorry to the families who lost their loved ones,” he said. “I also urge drivers to follow road rules and regulations. Failure to observe these rules is one of the reasons road accidents continue to rise. If everyone adhered to traffic laws, tragedies like this could be avoided.”
Public Reaction and Grief
The news of the Kikopey accident sent shockwaves across social media platforms, eliciting widespread expressions of sorrow, anger, and concern. Many users shared their personal connections to the tragedy and voiced their anxieties about road safety.
Roselyne Nangila shared a heartbreaking account:
“Waah God protect our roads, imagine I have lost my two young school children, a boy and a girl. They were travelling from Nairobi to Bungoma. May the souls of my young kids and other incidents rest in peace.”Mary Maina offered a prayer for protection and comfort:
“This was bad may God protect us as we travel and give comfort to the families that lost their loved ones.”Solomon Kalu raised concerns about road infrastructure and speed limits, particularly on newly dual-carriageway sections:
“Soo painful… 6 people on spot not a joke… but b4 dual carriage,,, si tuwekee hapa speed limit, at least ukitoka juu ka umebeba proper hutaachilia gari na utaghundua ka iko na shida ukiwa old national petrol station.”Stecy Lilykeyx noted a disturbing pattern:
“Another January another Great Rift accident. Kwani kila January lazima greatrift aiiih losing friends kila mwaka so bad and most painful thing.”
Another Tragedy in Machakos
Adding to the sombre mood, another devastating road accident occurred in Machakos county, resulting in the deaths of at least six people and serious injuries to seven others. This incident involved a Tahmeed bus and a Naekana shuttle, which collided head-on near the Katumani area along the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway. The vehicles were travelling in opposite directions, with the shuttle heading towards Mombasa and the bus en route to Nairobi. These consecutive tragedies underscore the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures and greater accountability on our roadways.
