NAIVASHA, Kenya – Survivors of a fatal road accident along the Karai-Naivasha highway have accused the driver of reckless speeding and ignoring repeated passenger warnings, as police investigate the Monday morning crash that claimed at least nine lives.
The collision, which occurred around 2 a.m. on January 5, involved a bus and a 14-seater matatu. According to authorities, the bus was traveling from Nakuru to Nairobi, while the matatu was headed in the opposite direction. Seven individuals, including two children, died at the scene. Two more later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
From his hospital bed, one survivor recounted to NTV the growing alarm among passengers as the driver maintained high speed despite their appeals.
“The driver was speeding, and we tried telling him to slow down, but he wasn’t listening to any of us,” the survivor stated. “It was reckless driving. Personally, I’m not okay—my head and my leg hurt.”
Another survivor echoed the account, emphasizing the driver’s refusal to heed warnings. The survivor also called on the transport company, Greenline, to revise its safety protocols.
“We are asking Greenline, because it is the vehicle we used, to have at least two drivers on long routes. If they continue with only one, we will continue losing lives,” the survivor urged.
Police describe the stretch where the accident occurred as a high-risk zone, particularly during heavy traffic. An officer noted that speeding and congestion are persistent challenges on this vital link between Naivasha and Nairobi.
“On this road, there are over-speeding vehicles,” the officer said. “The big challenge at that time was the high volume of traffic flow toward Nairobi.”
Emergency teams transported the injured to Naivasha District Hospital, while traffic police secured the scene and launched an official investigation. Authorities stated that the findings will determine any further action, including potential legal or enforcement measures.
