The accident, which occurred on Saturday evening, November 23, also left at least 25 other children aged between 10 and 16 injured.
The group, part of a soccer team from an estate in Syokimau, was returning home after a football training session at the Soccer Talent Ground along Ngong Road.
According to witnesses, the accident happened as their hired minibus was joining the ICD road. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road, strike a guardrail, and roll downhill before landing on its side.
The injured children were rushed to various hospitals, with 16 reported to be in stable condition.
National Police Spokesperson Dr. Resila Onyango confirmed the details, adding that the three adults accompanying the children—their coach and two guardians—along with the driver, also reported injuries but were attended to and are recovering.
The 12-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at a city Hospital.
The incident has reignited concerns over rising cases of fatal road accidents in Kenya. According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), common causes of such accidents include tyre bursts, vehicles losing control, hit-and-run incidents, and improper overtaking leading to head-on collisions.
In response to the increasing number of road fatalities, NTSA unveiled the National Road Safety Action Plan (2023-2027) in October 2023.
The plan aims to reduce road crash-related deaths and severe injuries by 50 per cent within designated high-risk corridors and urban areas.
Saturday’s tragic accident underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of road safety measures and heightened vigilance by road users to curb these preventable tragedies.
Authorities are continuing their investigations into the cause of the crash.
