- Seven people were killed in a fatal accident in Kikopey on Monday, January 19, involving a truck and two tricycles
- Five people died at the scene, while two others died in hospital from their injuries
- Witnesses described the terrifying moment when the truck lost control and ended up crashing into two tricycles, killing several people
An accident on the Nakuru-Nairobi Highway in Kikopey has sadly added to the growing number of lives lost in road accidents in the past few months.
Source: Youtube
Seven people were killed in the fatal accident on Monday, January 19, and many others were injured.
Confirming the incident, Gilgil sub-county police commander Wilstone Mwakio said that five people died at the scene, while two others died from their injuries while being treated at St. Mary’s.
What caused the Kikopey accident?
The truck that was heading towards Nakuru lost control and collided with three two that were heading in the opposite direction.
One of the matatu drivers, identified as David Kariuku, shared his account of the accident. He said that the driver of the first matatu, which was hit by the truck, tried to regain control but was unsuccessful.
“After hitting the first car, the truck turned as if it was trying to climb a hill, and then it ended up hitting another matatu that was coming from the other side, causing many deaths,” he explained.
Another witness blamed long-haul trailer drivers, pointing out that many of them drive without enough rest.
“NTSA should pay more attention to these drivers. They tend to give more priority to matatu drivers, forgetting that these long distance drivers also share our roads. More often than not, it is trailer drivers who cause these accidents,” the witness said.
General Hillary, who survived the accident, remembered that their trip out Nakuru it was smooth sailing until they reached Gilgil, when the truck lost control and hit their car.
Source: Youtube
“We were in one of the matatus when the truck left the road and went onto the wrong side of the road,” Hillary said.
Residents of Naivasha have urged the government to widen the road, noting that its narrowness is a major factor contributing to accidents.
“The distance from Mombasa to Malaba is too long for a trailer driver, and the road itself does not make it easy. The president promised to widen the road for us, and we are still waiting,” said another concerned resident.
Netizens sympathize with Kikopey accident victims.
Faith Kubasu:
“These Yan Bora trailers should be made their way underground.”
Naomi Gichimu:
“This accident has taken the headmistress of Thugunui pri so sad.”
Smart Pats:
“When will this end?? I ask the Kenyan government
Ken Limo:
“This one had an accident too, I’m sorry, Mr. President should build this road as soon as possible.”
How did Nakuru accident happen?
In other news, TUKO.co.ke reported that the driver of a matatu involved in a previous accident in Gilgil narrated what transpired.
Shadrack Almasi, who was driving the vehicle from Bungoma, narrowly survived the crash that left five passengers dead and others injured.
Almasi said the trailer that rammed into the matatu he was driving from behind had lost its brakes.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
