Six killed in Nakuru-Eldoret highway crash at Mau Summit

At least six people were killed and five others injured in a road accident at the Nyanja area along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway in Kuresoi North, Nakuru County, on Friday night.

The accident occurred at about 8.30 pm and involved a Toyota Hiace matatu and a Mercedes-Benz Actros trailer.

Police said the matatu was travelling from Nakuru towards Eldoret with 11 passengers on board when the trailer, which was heading in the opposite direction, allegedly lost control while ascending the Nyanja slope.

According to police, the trailer swerved into the opposite lane and collided head-on with the oncoming matatu.

Five men, including the matatu driver, died at the scene.

Their identities had not been established by the time of publication.

Six passengers sustained injuries and were taken to Londiani Sub-County Hospital for treatment.

Police said two men and one woman were admitted in critical condition after they were found unconscious at the scene.

The trailer driver, aged 49, sustained minor injuries.

Kuresoi North Sub-County Police Commander John Kimutai confirmed the incident.

"The accident occurred at around 8:30 pm. A matatu was heading towards Nakuru from Eldoret. A trailer ascending Nyanja slope swerved to the right and collided head-on with the matatu, fatally injuring five people on the spot," Kimutai said.

Police said a sixth victim later died while receiving treatment in hospital.

Officers processed the scene and launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash as efforts continued to clear the wreckage and restore traffic flow along the highway.

The bodies of the deceased were moved to the mortuary pending identification and post-mortem examinations.

The accident increased to 16 the number of those killed in separate accidents in the country on Friday night alone.