The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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At least six people were killed early Saturday morning in a tragic head-on collision along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway, near the Soy Sambu area of Gilgil.
Police said the victims were in a saloon car that crashed into an oncoming truck around 4 a.m. Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander Winston Mwakio reported that preliminary findings suggest the car’s driver was attempting to overtake another vehicle when the collision occurred.
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All six occupants of the saloon car died on the spot. The wreckage was moved to Gilgil Police Station, while the bodies were taken to Gilgil Sub-County Hospital Mortuary for identification.
The crash adds to a growing number of fatal accidents in the region, bringing the death toll to ten between Friday evening and Saturday morning. Four others—including three pedestrians and a driver—died in separate crashes, while seven people sustained injuries and remain hospitalized.
The incident comes amid rising concern over road safety in Kenya. Recent data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows 1,139 people died in road accidents between January and March 2025, compared to 1,166 in the same period last year. However, between June 2024 and March 2025, fatalities rose to 3,581—a 10% increase year-on-year.
Pedestrians and motorcyclists remain the most affected, accounting for the majority of deaths. In the first quarter of 2025, 420 pedestrians and 301 motorcyclists lost their lives.
Authorities attribute most crashes to reckless overtaking, speeding, drunk driving, tyre bursts, and poorly maintained vehicles.
“Head-on collisions caused by improper overtaking or loss of control continue to claim many lives,” NTSA noted.
Mwakio urged drivers to observe traffic rules, calling the Gilgil crash “a recklessly dangerous act” and confirming investigations are ongoing.
As the festive season nears—a period known for increased travel—the government has stepped up road-safety campaigns, enforcement checks, and audits to curb further loss of life. NTSA estimates Kenya loses about Sh450 billion annually due to road accidents.
