Devastation for families as victims of Nyeri horror crash are identified
Some of the people who died in a road accident on the Nyeri–Nyahururu highway near Dedan Kimathi University of Technology , on March 27, 2026.
When Maureen Wambui boarded a matatu in Nyeri town on Saturday evening, she hoped to reach her home in Mweiga, Kieni Constituency, in time to cook for her two-year-old daughter, Olivia Muthoni, who sat on her lap.
Tragically, they never made it.
Their lives were cut short when the matatu collided head-on with a lorry carrying logs near Dedan Kimathi University of Technology along the Nyeri–Nyahururu highway, killing both on the spot.
Wambui and her daughter were among 15 passengers who perished on the spot. Another victim succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment in hospital, raising the death toll to 16.
Central Regional Traffic Enforcement Officer Elizabeth Vivi said the matatu was carrying 14 passengers and two children, while the lorry had a driver and two loaders.
“On reaching near Dedan Kimathi University, a motorcycle suddenly appeared on the road. As the lorry driver attempted to avoid hitting the boda boda rider, the lorry, which was heading towards Nyeri town, collided head-on with the matatu,” she said.
Four survivors, three adults and one child, are admitted to hospital in critical condition.
The scene of the road crash involving a matatu and a lorry on Nyeri-Nyahururu road on March 28, 2026.
Ms Vivi clarified that, contrary to earlier reports, the matatu was not overloaded. She said that in total, 20 people were involved in the crash.
“The drivers and minors are not counted as passengers,” she explained.
Witnesses described the scene as horrific, as some passengers were trapped beneath the lorry.
Mr Anthony Waweru, who was among the first responders, said they tried their best to help the accident victims.
“We tried to rescue those trapped by removing the logs from the lorry to make it lighter,” the boda boda rider, who operates in Nyeri town, said.
Ms Vivi said 10 of the victims had been identified, while six others are still unknown.
“We urge families who may have lost loved ones to come forward to assist with identification. Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing,” she said.
At the Nyeri County Hospital mortuary, grieving families received counselling from the Kenya Red Cross Society officials.
Ms Ruth Kisinga from Machakos County lost her brother, Sebastian Ndolo, 35. She recounted the moment they learnt about his death.
“We heard about the accident and out of concern, called him around 9pm. A woman answered and said she had picked his phone at the accident scene. She said that Ndolo had been taken to hospital. We panicked,” Ms Kisinga said.
The family travelled overnight from Nairobi only to receive the devastating news upon arrival at the hospital.
“When we got to the hospital, his colleagues from the Kenya Forestry Service told us he had passed on,” she said.
Two cousins, Nancy Gathoni and Fidelis Murugi, were also in the ill-fated matatu. While Murugi survived and is fighting for her life, Gathoni died at the scene.
“They were very close. They were always together. It is heartbreaking that death has separated them,” their cousin, Mr Elijah Mwangi, said.
The scene of the road crash involving a matatu and a lorry on Nyeri-Nyahururu road on March 28, 2026.
The accident occurred just a day after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) suspended its instant fine system following a court order. The system had been introduced to curb reckless driving.
NTSA Director-General Nashon Kondiwa said yesterday preliminary investigations point to multiple factors, including speeding, reckless driving and the possibility that the lorry was unroadworthy.
“If these findings are confirmed, then this was a preventable tragedy. This is a heartbreaking loss,” he said.
Mr Kondiwa said a multi-agency team had been deployed to reconstruct the accident and establish the exact sequence of events.
“We will examine the roadworthiness of the vehicles involved, the conduct of the drivers and adherence to traffic rules,” he said.
NTSA announced increased enforcement along the Nyeri–Nyahururu corridor and other major highways to remove unroadworthy vehicles from the roads. The National Police Service said it would work with other agencies to investigate the crash.
“Traffic officers will continue enforcing the Highway Code to ensure safety, order, and efficiency on our roads,” Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said.
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