At least three pedestrians lost their lives when a speeding vehicle crashed into a crowded pedestrian walkway along the Mariakani-Kaloleni road in Kilifi County.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on Christmas Day around 5 a.m. Three additional pedestrians sustained serious injuries in the collision, which took place near the Dam Hotel. The deceased individuals include one woman and two men.
The injured, along with the driver, were promptly transported to the hospital in critical condition, as stated by the police. The bodies of the deceased have been transferred to the mortuary for autopsy and further procedures.
Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, although the cause of the accident remains unclear. This incident occurs amidst ongoing efforts to combat the increasing number of road accidents.
Annually, over 4,000 Kenyans lose their lives in traffic accidents, resulting in thousands more suffering serious injuries, which have detrimental effects on families.
This tragic event follows another accident on the Narok-Mai Mahiu road, which resulted in at least seven fatalities and over 30 injuries.
In that incident, a lorry experienced a tire burst, causing the driver to lose control while descending a hill. The vehicle collided with a salon car, a bus, and a small matatu, resulting in the immediate deaths of three passengers.
While responders were present at the scene, a second trailer approached at high speed in the direction of Mai Mahiu and collided with a four-wheel drive vehicle, claiming three more lives instantly. Additionally, the trailer struck a motorcyclist with two passengers, resulting in one fatality.
Police are conducting an investigation into this incident as many individuals travel to various destinations for the festive season, coinciding with police operations.
Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Eliud Lagat visited the Nairobi-Nakuru highway on Tuesday to assess traffic conditions.
The road has been experiencing heavy traffic over the past four days due to the influx of travelers for the holiday season, which has been attributed to issues such as overlapping and poor visibility.
