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Gevine Wafula, a survivor of the Diatomite road accident that claimed seven lives on Tuesday evening, recounts the ordeal from his hospital bed at St Mary’s Hospital on January 20, 2026.
What began as an ordinary journey for Mr Gevine Wafula quickly turned into a nightmare on Monday evening after the matatu he boarded was involved in an accident at Diatomite area in Gilgil on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
The accident occurred after a truck driver lost control of the vehicle which rammed three matatus.
The truck, which was heading to Nakuru, veered off its lane and hit two matatus heading towards Naivasha before colliding with a third matatu. Five people died on the spot, while two succumbed to their injuries in hospital.
Speaking from his hospital bed at St Mary’s Hospital in Elementaita, Mr Wafula said a container slipped and crashed the matatu he was travelling in.
One of the matatus hit by a trailer at Diatomite area in Gilgil, along Nakuru-Nairobi Highway, on January 19, 2026.
“I was sitting near the matatu conductor. I was thrown out, and that is how I narrowly escaped death. I heard a loud bang and screams, and I was thrown out of the vehicle,” Wafula told Nation.
“Good Samaritans were trying to help the injured. I am lucky to be alive; many passengers who were in the same vehicle died. I sustained injuries to my leg and arm and I am set to be transferred to Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital for specialised treatment,” he said.
Wafula, who was going to Kikopey to repair his phone, boarded the matatu which had 13 passengers on board, at the Viewpoint area in Elementaita.
Survivors of the crash were rushed to St. Mary's Hospital in Elementaita, neighbouring St. Joseph's Hospital, and Gilgil Sub-County Hospital by first responders.
A medic attends to 19-year-old Brian Muiruri Ng'ang'a at St Mary's Hospital in Gilgil, on January 20, 2026.
Another survivor, Brian Ng'ang'a, said that he was heading back to the National Youth Service College in Gilgil from Nakuru City, where he had visited his uncle.
He said that the truck was avoiding hitting a saloon car before it hit the matatu.
"I was sitting in the front seat with another lady, we had to break the vehicle's windscreen to escape. There were bodies everywhere. Some people were trapped in the matatu. We tried to help, but we were injured too. I felt helpless. I sustained an injury on my right eye, but l thank God I am alive,” said Ng'ang'a.
At St Mary’s Hospital, Dr Saya Derrick said they received 11 patients and two bodies from the accident .
He said six patients were treated and discharged, while five others are still admitted at the facility.
“Two of the patients have multiple fractures and will require surgery, while three suffered soft tissue injuries and are under close observation,” said Dr Saya.
Simon Waweru, 47, who is unable to talk, is recuperating at St Joseph’s Hospital.
One of the matatus hit by a trailer at Diatomite area in Gilgil, along Nakuru-Nairobi Highway, on January 19, 2026.
His sister Joyce Wambui said that Waweru was heading to Naivasha from Nakuru City.
"My brother was heading to Naivasha, where he had secured a job at a construction site. I was notified that he was involved in an accident. The hospital traced his wife’s number and informed her about the accident," said Wambui.
"He sustained head, arm and left leg injuries. He cannot recognise anyone. We just pray for his quick recovery,” she added.
Dr Nick Mutua, a medical officer at the facility, said the patient sustained a fracture to the left lower limb, a pelvic fracture, and soft tissue injuries to the scalp.
“He has since been stabilised, and X-rays show progress. We are planning to conduct a CT scan of the brain,” the medic said.
The Gilgil-Kikopey-St Mary's -Mbaruk section of the busy Nairobi-Nakuru- Eldoret highway, which awaits a multi-billion upgrade, has turned into a death trap.
Scores of people have been killed on this section of the highway, while dozens have been left nursing injuries.
The scars of past accidents dot the section of the road that has now become synonymous with carnage.
On September 28, 2025, for instance, 14 people from the same family died in a grisly road crash at Kariandusi area, near Kikopey, after the matatu they were travelling in collided head-on with an oncoming truck.
Since then, more than 20 people have died on the stretch.
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