Four people died on the spot Sunday while eight others were injured following an accident in the Maltauro area on the Narok-Mai Mahiu highway, Narok County.
Police said the four included a woman and three men and the accident involved a private car that had originated Kisii and was headed towards Mai Mahiu and a Crested Galaxy matatu travelling from Nairobi to Narok direction.
Police and witnesses said the two vehicles collided at the scene killing the four while the injured were taken to the hospital.
Narok East Police boss Jared Marandu said preliminary findings had shown the driver of the private van was trying to avoid hitting a pedestrian who was crossing the road and accidentally collided head-on with the Crested Galaxy matatu.
Marandu however said the accident is under investigation.
He urged caution from motorists on the highway. This comes amid calls for heightened operations ahead of the festive season.
Inspector-General of Police Hilary Mutyambai said they will launch and sustain a programme to ensure safety on the roads.
He blamed drivers for most of the accidents.
Officials at the National Transport and Safety Authority say fatal accidents have been on a steady rise in the past months.
Between January 2021 and September 20, 2021, some 3,212 people had been killed in accidents as compared to 2,560 who died similar period last year, an increase of 652 people.
Of those who have died this year, 1,111 are pedestrians, 311 drivers, 520 passengers, 318 pillion passengers, 61 pedal cyclists and 891 motorcyclists.
Reckless driving, dangerous overtaking, drunk driving, drunk walking, drunk riding, failure to use helmets among other issues have been attributed to the increase in crashes.
Edited by D Tarus