Christmas celebrations ended in sorrow after five people were killed in a fatal road accident along the Kericho–Nakuru highway on Thursday morning, December 25.
The crash occurred near Kedowa Trading Centre in Kericho County and involved a Toyota Probox and a trailer, leaving the small vehicle badly damaged.
Police confirmed that all five victims died at the scene, while two other passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Kericho County Referral Hospital for treatment.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the Probox may have been speeding before colliding head-on with a Mercedes-Benz Actros truck that was travelling towards Nakuru.
Kericho County Police Commander James Nyatich confirmed the incident, stating that it happened in the early hours of Christmas Day.
“At around 5am, a Probox ferrying several passengers suspected to be young men was involved in a head-on collision with an oncoming truck near the Kedowa area,” Nyatich said.
Police believe the victims were members of the same family and were travelling from a holiday gathering when the tragedy struck.
The fatal crash adds to the rising number of road accident deaths recorded over the festive period. According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), at least 36 people have lost their lives in road accidents within a span of 72 hours, raising alarm over holiday travel safety.
NTSA reports show that most of the victims during this period were pedestrians and passengers, followed closely by motorcyclists and pillion riders.
As travel peaks during the festive season, Kenya continues to record a surge in serious road accidents, largely attributed to speeding, drunk driving, and poor lane discipline.
NTSA has since intensified enforcement measures, confirming that more than 1,700 traffic violations have been recorded since December 20, with dozens of drivers arrested and several vehicles flagged for non-compliance.
The authority has once again urged motorists to exercise caution, adhere to speed limits, avoid driving under the influence of alcohol, and observe traffic rules to prevent further loss of life during the holiday season.
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