Horror Crash on Nakuru-Eldoret Highway: 5 Dead, Including a Baby – Road Safety Crisis Deepens in Kenya

A terrible road accident on Monday evening left five people dead, including a baby, in the Mbaruk area of Gilgil along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway. The crash has shocked the nation and renewed public outcry over the worsening safety conditions on Kenyan roads. 

According to police, the tragic incident happened at around 6:30 p.m. when a personal car lost control. The vehicle, trying to overtake another car on the narrow, single-lane road, slammed into an oncoming truck. Moments later, a trailer crashed into the same car, destroying it completely. 

All five people inside the personal car died instantly. Nakuru County Traffic Officer Allan Ogolla confirmed that the victims included an infant. The car was burned badly, and videos taken at the scene show it engulfed in flames as onlookers watched in shock. 

The horrifying scene drew a huge crowd. Rescue teams rushed in to retrieve the bodies and assist anyone who might still be trapped. The wreckage caused a long traffic jam on the busy highway, forcing many drivers to take alternative routes. 

Police have now launched investigations to determine the exact cause of the crash. But this tragic event is not an isolated one, it is part of a disturbing trend. 

Just two weeks ago, another fatal accident occurred on the same highway. On July 17, two people, including a 10-year-old boy, were killed when a trailer carrying logs lost control and crashed into a 14-seater matatu. Ten other passengers suffered serious injuries. 

Witnesses at that scene said the trailer appeared to have brake failure before it hit the matatu head-on. Like the recent crash, the impact was deadly, and police had to work fast to manage traffic and remove the victims. 

In both cases, the bodies were taken to Nakuru City Mortuary as families rushed to identify their loved ones. 

These frequent accidents have angered many residents living along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway, especially in Gilgil. They say the road is in very poor condition and that their calls for help have been ignored for too long. 

The government had earlier promised to expand and repair the highway starting in August. However, no work has begun, and many residents now doubt if that promise will ever be fulfilled. 

“This is not just an accident. It’s a failure of leadership and responsibility,” said one frustrated resident. “How many people have to die before action is taken?” 

The road’s narrow lanes, lack of barriers, and poor maintenance have all been blamed for the increasing number of fatal crashes. 

Kenya continues to struggle with high road accident rates, especially on major highways. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has previously called for better road designs and stricter traffic enforcement, but progress has been slow. 

Road safety advocates are now demanding urgent changes, including better signage, improved lighting, regular road maintenance, and stricter penalties for reckless driving. 

“This is a national crisis,” said one road safety expert. “We need both short-term solutions and long-term planning if we are going to save lives.” 

In the meantime, many fear more lives will be lost unless quick action is taken. Families affected by the recent crashes are mourning, and entire communities are in pain. 

As the country waits for answers, Kenyans are once again reminded of the heavy price of neglect on the roads. The Nakuru-Eldoret highway, meant to connect people and goods, is now seen by many as a road of sorrow and tragedy.