The matatu sustained extensive damage in the collision at Kondoo along the Eldoret-Nakuru Highway.
A 14-seater matatu collided head-on with a ballast trailer at Kondoo, injuring several other passengers.
At least five people reportedly died in an Eldoret-Nakuru Highway crash at Kondoo early on Saturday, October 31. A 14-seater matatu collided head-on with a trailer carrying ballast in the Timboroa area.
Witnesses placed the collision at about 12:20 am and said several other passengers suffered injuries. Preliminary reports indicated that the matatu was heading from Eldoret towards Nakuru and that five people died instantly.
Meanwhile, emergency responders and traffic police officers arrived to help the victims. Injured passengers went to nearby hospitals for treatment, while police assessed the scene.
Images of the wreckage showed extensive damage to the matatu, including a shattered windscreen and broken windows. The vehicle also had damaged tyres and mangled seats.
Eldoret-Nakuru Highway crash amid road safety concerns
The collision comes amid calls from the National Transport and Safety Authority to declare road crashes a national disaster. On Sunday, October 25, NTSA said crashes kill more than 5,000 people in Kenya each year.
The authority also cited about 20,000 reported incidents, saying they devastate families and strain healthcare facilities. Road crashes hurt economic productivity too, it said.
NTSA argued that a national disaster declaration would prompt urgent government action and secure adequate funding. It also said the move would strengthen coordinated enforcement to reduce deaths and serious injuries.
In addition, the authority said the classification would set clear accountability and measurable targets for responsible institutions. These include road agencies, the National Police Service, healthcare providers and county governments.
Separately, one person died and several others suffered injuries when a Forward Sacco matatu overturned on Thursday night. That crash occurred at Umoja Junction along Kangundo Road at around 10 pm.
The vehicle was reportedly taking passengers home when it overturned, trapping some occupants beneath the wreckage.
