Several people are feared dead following a tragic road accident involving a lorry transporting logs and a public service vehicle (PSV) matatu along the Nyeri–Nyahururu Road on Saturday evening, March 28, 2026.
The crash occurred near Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, an area known for heavy traffic, particularly during the evening hours when motorists travel between Nyeri town and Nyahururu.
Witnesses at the scene said the two vehicles appeared to lose control moments before the collision. The impact was severe, leaving the matatu badly mangled after it was crushed against the side of the heavily loaded lorry.
Several passengers were trapped inside the wreckage, prompting a frantic rescue operation by emergency responders and members of the public who rushed to assist.
Rescue teams arrived at the scene shortly after the accident and began efforts to extract victims trapped inside the matatu. Using crowbars, hydraulic cutters and other emergency tools, responders worked carefully to remove twisted metal parts of the vehicle in order to reach survivors.
Some of the injured passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals in Nyeri town for treatment, while others received first aid at the scene before being transported for medical attention.
Witnesses described the moments following the crash as chaotic, with screams and confusion filling the air as rescuers tried to reach those trapped inside the vehicles.
“The impact was extremely loud. When we ran to the scene, the matatu had already been crushed and people were screaming for help,” said one boda boda rider who was among the first responders.
Police officers from the Nyeri traffic department arrived minutes later and cordoned off the area to allow emergency teams to carry out rescue operations safely.
Traffic officers also began documenting the scene, taking measurements and gathering evidence to help establish the exact circumstances that led to the accident.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the number of casualties, but preliminary reports indicate that several passengers may have lost their lives in the crash.
Investigators believe that loss of control by one or both drivers could have contributed to the accident, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
The Nyeri–Nyahururu Road is a key transport corridor linking central Kenya to the Rift Valley region. Despite its importance, sections of the road are narrow and have long been flagged by motorists as accident-prone, particularly during periods of heavy traffic or poor visibility.
Local residents say accidents have become increasingly common along the stretch near the university, especially in the evenings when traffic volume rises.
“Large trucks carrying timber and other heavy loads often use this road, and sometimes they move very fast,” said a nearby shop owner. “We have witnessed several accidents here over the years.”
The incident caused a major traffic disruption as police diverted vehicles away from the crash site to allow rescue and recovery operations to continue.
Authorities urged motorists using the road to exercise caution and follow traffic guidelines, especially during the evening hours when visibility begins to drop.
The wreckage of the two vehicles remained at the scene for several hours as investigators worked to determine what happened and recovery teams prepared to remove the damaged vehicles from the road.
Officials said a detailed report on the accident, including confirmed casualties and the identities of victims, will be released once investigations and identification processes are completed.
Meanwhile, emergency teams continued their efforts late into the evening as the community and road users awaited official confirmation of the extent of the tragedy.
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