Five people killed in matatu-lorry crash along Nairobi-Mombasa Highway

At least five people, including a matatu driver, died in a road accident along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway at Kapiti Plains in Athi River, Machakos County.

The accident occurred at around 7.40pm on Wednesday and involved an Isuzu FH lorry and a Toyota Hiace matatu, operated by Kinatwa Sacco, police said.

According to police and witnesses, the matatu was travelling from Mombasa towards Nairobi when its driver allegedly attempted to overtake dangerously.

The matatu was reportedly hit by the oncoming lorry, which was travelling in the opposite direction.

The matatu driver and four passengers died at the scene.

Police said seven other passengers sustained injuries of varying severity and were rushed to Machakos Level Five Hospital for treatment.

The five bodies were moved to Machakos Funeral Home pending autopsy.

The highway is billed as among the leading roads with fatal accidents.

The two vehicles were towed to the police station for inspection as investigations into the accident continue.

The accident increased to 12, the number of those who died in separate accidents in the country on Wednesday night, police said.

Police termed the number alarming, arguing some of the reported accidents were avoidable.

The victims included four pedestrians, five passengers, two riders and a driver.

The accidents also left 32 people with serious injuries.

For instance, two people were killed and 20 others seriously injured in a road accident along the Kisii-Daraja Moja-Daraja Mbili road on Wednesday evening.

The accident occurred at about 7.30pm in the Choma Choma area and involved a lorry, a car and three motorcycles.

Police said the accident involved an Isuzu FRR lorry, a Mazda and three motorcycles.

According to the police, the lorry was reportedly being driven from Daraja Moja towards Daraja Mbili when its driver lost control and collided with the other vehicles, motorcycles and pedestrians.

Two unidentified male adults died at the scene, while 20 people sustained serious injuries.

The injured victims were rushed to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, where they were receiving treatment in serious condition.

The lorry and the motorcycles were towed and detained at the Nyanchwa Police Station yard pending inspection.

Police investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing.

The road is also known to be dangerous at such hour with both human, vehicle and motorcycle traffic.

Fatal accidents have been on the rise in the country amid a campaign to address the trend.

More than 4,000 people are annually killed in separate accidents in the country, statistics show. Thousands other people are left with serious injuries which has a negative impact on families and friends at large.

Officials have been running campaigns to address the menace.