Ten Killed in Overnight Head-On Crash at Karai on Nairobi–Nakuru Highway
The crash happened at around 1:00 a.m. when a Nairobi-bound Greenline bus collided head-on with a Nakuru-bound Nanyuki Cabs shuttle
By : Mweru Mbugua
At least ten people have died following a fatal road accident that occurred in the early hours of Monday at Karai along the Nairobi–Nakuru highway
The crash happened at around 1:00 a.m. when a Nairobi-bound Greenline bus collided head-on with a Nakuru-bound Nanyuki Cabs shuttle
Police said nine victims died on the spot eight passengers from the shuttle and a young child who was travelling aboard the bus
By Monday morning, authorities confirmed the death toll had risen to ten. Five other victims were reported to be in critical condition, while 35 people, including five children, were admitted to Naivasha Sub-County Hospital with varying injuries
The accident occurred at the same stretch of road where former Lugari Member of Parliament Cyrus Jirongo died in a crash weeks ago, once again raising concerns over safety along the busy highway
Confirming the incident, Naivasha Sub-County Police Commander Wilson Sigei said preliminary investigations indicate the bus driver was overtaking when the collision occurred
“This section of the highway is under close observation because many drivers tend to overspeed here,” Sigei said
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However, eyewitnesses offered a different account, claiming a saloon car exiting Eagle Petrol Station suddenly joined the highway, forcing the speeding bus to swerve and crash head-on into the oncoming vehicle
Passengers on the bus alleged that the driver appeared drowsy while driving from Nakuru and that his control of the vehicle was questionable
They claimed two conductors had been asked to sit with him in an attempt to keep him alert
Police say investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing
