A devastating road accident along the Nakuru-Elburgon highway claimed 12 lives and injured several others. The tragic incident occurred on the evening of May 8, 2025, at Arimi, a notorious blackspot on the Njoro-Elburgon road in Nakuru County.
The crash involved a 14-seater matatu and a lorry, which collided head-on. Reports indicate that the lorry lost control and rammed into the matatu, which carried passengers. The impact was so severe that 12 people died instantly, while others suffered critical injuries.
Eyewitnesses described the horrifying scene in detail. The force of the collision shattered the matatu’s windscreen, broke its seats, and smashed its windows. Meanwhile, the lorry leaned on one side across the road, with its front section completely wrecked.
Immediately after the accident, emergency responders, including the Nakuru County Disaster Management team and local traffic police, rushed to the scene and carried out rescue operations. Medical teams swiftly evacuated survivors and transported them to nearby hospitals. Reports confirm that eight individuals received medical treatment, with some transferred to Nakuru Level Five Hospital for specialized care.
Authorities quickly launched investigations to determine the exact cause of the accident. Preliminary findings suggest that reckless driving and possible brake failure contributed to the crash.
Residents remain deeply concerned about safety along the Nakuru-Elburgon highway, citing frequent accidents at the Arimi blackspot. Many demand urgent government intervention to upgrade road infrastructure and prevent further tragedies. Elburgon MCA Njuguna Mwaura reinforced this call, emphasizing that accidents occur almost weekly due to poor road conditions and sharp bends.
This accident adds to Kenya’s rising number of road crashes. According to data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), 1,139 people lost their lives in road accidents between January and March 2025. Although this number reflects a slight decrease from the 1,166 deaths recorded in 2024, the statistics remain alarming.
