- A motorist, Amos Kuria, said the matatu was overtaking a fleet of vehicles when it rammed into the other matatu that was towing another one.
- He said the matatu was packed to capacity when the accident occurred, adding that the other two that were towing each other were empty.
Image: The Star Newspaper
Six people perished on Thursday night following a road accident near Gilgil town involving three matatus.
Among the dead were three minors and three adults following the 8pm accident near the Gilgil weighbridge that left six others fighting for their lives.
The accident occurred after a matatu heading to Naivasha from Nakuru rammed into another matatu that was towing another matatu.
Witnesses said the matatu that was headed to Naivasha was involved in a chase with another one before the accident occurred.
A motorist, Amos Kuria, said the matatu was overtaking a fleet of vehicles when it rammed into the other matatu that was towing another one.
He said the matatu was packed to capacity when the accident occurred, adding that the other two that were towing each other were empty.
“On impact, five passengers died on the spot while those injured were taken to various hospitals,” he said.
Gilgil subcounty police Commander Jamleck Ngaruiya said 19 people were injured, six of them seriously.
He said initial investigations indicated that the driver of the matatu that was overtaking was to blame for the accident that caused a major traffic snarl-up along the highway.
“The matatu that was heading to Naivasha was overtaking when it hit two others and in the process killed five people on the spot,” he said.
Ngaruiya blamed speeding and careless overtaking for the accidents along the highway, adding that the wrecks had been towed to Gilgil police station.
Meanwhile, police in Naivasha are investigating the death of a junior police officer attached to Kenya Railways in Naivasha.
The body of the officer was found lying in his house amid allegations that he had died by suicide due to depression.
A senior officer at the station who declined to be named said the deceased had health complications.
“He was under medication for some time and we are not sure if he died by suicide or died from natural causes but police have taken over the matter,” the officer said.