On Monday morning, three individuals lost their lives in an accident in the Kwambira region of Limuru, located along the Nairobi-Naivasha Highway.

According to police reports, nine additional people sustained injuries in the collision involving a lorry and a matatu.

This incident occurred at the same location where seven fatalities were recorded the previous week, as noted by Limuru subcounty commander Mary Gachie.

She mentioned that investigations into the accidents are currently underway.

The crash, characterized as a head-on collision, involved a Luxury Sacco public service vehicle traveling from Western Kenya to Nairobi.

The PSV collided with an oncoming lorry that was en route to Nakuru.

Following the impact, the lorry overturned, leaving survivors trapped within the cabin of the heavy vehicle.

This situation resulted in significant traffic congestion on the busy highway, as the two vehicles obstructed the road while rescue teams hurried to assist.

Police officers and emergency response units promptly arrived at the scene, coordinating rescue operations to aid the survivors.

The incident took place around 6 am, according to police reports.

Last week, at least seven individuals were killed in the same vicinity.

Additionally, on the Nairobi-Naivasha highway in the View Point area, two people died on Saturday morning in a collision involving a government vehicle and three private cars.

Authorities have attributed these accidents to speeding.

There has been a noticeable increase in fatal accidents, prompting calls for action to address this alarming trend.

In response to the issue of road safety, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir announced that the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and police will be installing breathalyzers on major roads nationwide.

He stated that any driver found to be over the legal alcohol limit will face a fine of up to Ksh100,000 or a prison sentence of up to two years, or both.

Furthermore, individuals convicted of drinking and driving will be disqualified from obtaining a driver’s license for one year.

Four individuals, including three foreign nationals, are set to appear in court for their involvement in the trafficking of garden ants.

Authorities have announced that these four suspects will be presented before the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) court in connection with a case concerning the trafficking of garden ants.

The accused include two Belgian citizens, one Vietnamese national, and one Kenyan national, who are facing charges related to the illegal possession and attempted smuggling of numerous live garden ants. This case represents a notable intensification of Kenya’s efforts to combat unconventional wildlife crimes.

Officials have indicated that the suspects are scheduled to enter their pleas on April 14, 2025.

They are charged with dealing in live wildlife species, which is a violation of section 95(b) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 2013.

While the origin of the ants remains unclear, the Kenya Wildlife Service has stated that the suspects are set to take their pleas.

This incident marks the latest in a series of similar cases being brought to court as part of ongoing initiatives to tackle this issue.

In 2023, three individuals were charged with the illegal exportation of safari ants valued at Sh300,000 to France.

Martin Nyota, Rose Wairimu, and Eunice Muthoni faced accusations of dealing in live wildlife species, also in violation of section 95(b) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 2013.

They were alleged to have been engaged in the trade of live species of messer cephalates (safari ants) at JKIA without the necessary permits between June 2 and June 19.

Additionally, Rose Wairimu faced a separate charge of concealing prohibited goods, contrary to section 200 of the East Africa Community Customs Management Act of 2004.

The court was informed that between June 1 and June 19 at JKIA in Nairobi County, the accused mis-declared prohibited goods (safari ants) as handcrafted plastics and wooden jewelry with the intention of exporting them from Kenya to France.

Chemundu/Kapng’etuny ward Member of the County Assembly, Julius Keter, has passed away.

Philemon Melly, the speaker of the Nandi County Assembly, reported that Keter had been in poor health for the past three weeks. He succumbed to his illness at Fountain Hospital in Eldoret on Saturday at approximately 8:30 am.

Keter was first elected as the ward representative for Chemundu/Kapng’etuny in 2022 and held the position of Majority Whip.

Melly expressed his sorrow, stating, “Keter had been unwell for the last three weeks. He sadly lost his battle at Fountain Hospital Eldoret.” He characterized Keter as a legend and a devoted public servant who committed his life to improving the welfare of his constituents.

“The community will always remember his relentless efforts, steadfast dedication, and genuine affection for the people,” he added.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang extended his condolences to Keter’s family, remarking, “Keter was not only a colleague but also a friend and a dedicated public servant. His steadfast commitment to enhancing the lives of his constituents, along with his humility and thoughtful leadership, will be profoundly missed.”

Sang noted that Keter was a strong advocate for development and a prominent voice within the assembly.

Residents of Chemundu/Kapng’etuny ward expressed their grief over the loss of their MCA, with many acknowledging that his dedication and generosity would be sorely missed.

A group of youths highlighted Keter’s prompt responses to their concerns, remembering him for launching initiatives aimed at transforming lives.

Keter was elected under the UDA party banner. His passing contributes to the increasing number of by-elections that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission will need to conduct.

Three individuals suspected of poaching were apprehended over the weekend while transporting two elephant tusks weighing a total of 60 kilograms in Nkubu, Meru County.

Authorities from the police and the Kenya Wildlife Service reported that the tusks are valued at 6 million Kenyan Shillings.

This arrest was the result of a coordinated security operation conducted in the Kigene area of Nkubu Township.

The suspects were found transporting the tusks in a sedan, having hidden the items within a sack.

The operation took place at night on April 11, 2025, and law enforcement is currently seeking additional suspects connected to this case.

Investigators aim to determine the origin of the tusks, which are believed to have come from an elephant killed in the nearby Meru National Park.

The three individuals are expected to appear in court to face charges for possessing wildlife trophies from endangered species, in violation of Section 92(4) of the Wildlife Conservation Management Act of 2013.

This seizure occurred despite ongoing efforts and campaigns aimed at combating poaching in the region and across the country.

Elephant tusks command high prices on the black market, driven by increasing demand for ivory in the East, which continues to support the illegal trade of elephant tusks, particularly from Africa.

The illicit ivory trade is primarily fueled by demand in Asia and the Middle East, where elephant tusks and rhino horns are utilized in the creation of ornaments and traditional medicines.

Officials have noted that, despite a global ban on the ivory trade, African elephants continue to be poached in significant numbers.

In response to this crisis, Kenya has begun employing advanced surveillance technologies, including drones, to monitor poachers and track elephant and rhino populations.

The Kenya Wildlife Service, along with various stakeholders, has implemented strategies to eliminate all forms of wildlife crime, particularly poaching.

These strategies encompass enhanced community education, interagency collaboration, and intensive intelligence-driven operations, among other initiatives.

As a result of these efforts, Kenya achieved zero rhino poaching in 2020, marking the first occurrence of such a milestone in nearly twenty years.

The Ministry of Defence has disclosed that the unfortunate helicopter crash on April 18, 2024, which resulted in the deaths of former Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla and nine other Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) members, was due to an engine failure.

In a statement released on Friday, the ministry indicated that the Bell Huey helicopter KAF 1501 experienced a surge, corroborating witness accounts of a loud noise from the engine area.

Following this surge, the helicopter lost all power, leading to a decrease in the engine’s Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) and a noticeable change in engine sound. The RPM is a measure of the engine’s speed and power output.

The ministry reviewed the entire mission, from the team’s departure from Wilson Airport to Kainuk, Chesogon, and then to the Defence Forces Recruits Training School in Eldoret, confirming that the crew had completed all necessary pre-flight checks.

Additionally, the government eliminated weather conditions, crew coordination, and pilot experience as potential causes of the crash.

The ministry emphasized that both pilots were fully prepared for the mission, as per the Flying Order Book (FOB) Standard Operating Procedures.

During the mission planning, the government noted that the crew had ample time to perform Before Flight Checks with the first Line Personnel.

The aircraft had also undergone 25 hours of servicing from April 2 to April 5, 2024, to meet the highest safety standards.

“The Huey Helicopter KAF 1501 was found to have a high reliability level, having successfully completed numerous operational and training missions, including VIP flights. Moreover, the flight was conducted by a qualified and competent crew,” the statement partially noted.

The ministry has also acknowledged that the Kenya Air Force has revised and updated its Standard Operating Procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.