Seven people have died and 12 injured following a road crash that occurred at Eveready roundabout area along the Nakuru- Eldoret highway.

Mtaa Wangu has confirmed that seven bodies have been received at the Nakuru county mortuary (Kwa jack).

While confirming the incident, Nakuru west Sub County Police commander Francis Wahome said the crash, that occurred at around 8am on Sunday involved a matatu and a lorry. The trailer was ferrying goods from Eldoret heading towards Nakuru.

Read: Comedian Mulamwa involved in an accident at the Ngata black spot

Police disperse onlookers trying to steal maize from the trailer involved in a road crash at Eveready roundabout on December 31, 2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

According to Nakuru teaching and referral hospital (PGH) Deputy medical superintendent Dr Emmanuel Sinei,19 people were received at the hospital.

"Seven people had already passed on while 12 are currently receiving treatment at the hospital," he said.

Deputy Medical superintendent at Nakuru teaching and referral hospital Dr. Emmanuel Sinei during an interview on December 31, 2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Of the 12 receiving treatment, at the referral hospital, Dr Sinei said two are female and ten are male.

Eye witnesses who spoke to Mtaa Wangu say the lorry had seemingly lost its brakes as it rushed downhill hooting repeatedly warning the other vehicles on the road.

According to Mirriam Nyawira, the matatu on the other hand had been flagged down by traffic police officers at the Eveready roundabout and had stopped on the side of the road.

Mirriam Nyawira, who witnessed a road crash at Eveready roundabout on December 31, 2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“I think the matatu driver did not hear the hooting because he was talking to the police. Unfortunately, the trailer rammed over the matatu before stopping in a ditch on the side of the road,” Ms Nyawira said.

Eric Omolo, a bodaboda rider who was one of the first responders at the scene said he had just dropped off a client at the matatu stage when he witnessed the grisly road crash.

Eric Omolo, a boda boda rider during an interview at the scene of a road crash that occurred at Eveready roundabout on December 31, 2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“I blame the police officers because if they did not have a road block here, these lives would not be lost. It is dangerous to have a road block at a roundabout. It should be removed from here,” Mr Omolo lamented.

As a testament of the tragic incident, the wreckage of the 14-seater matatu belonging to Ngata sacco stands with the vehicle's roof completely destroyed.

Road users look at the wreckage of a matatu that was involved in a grisly road crash at Eveready round about on December 31, 2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

The road crash had caused a traffic snarl up along the busy Nakuru-Eldoret highway, as traffic police officers worked to clear the scene.

The police officers also had a tough time dispersing onlookers who had gathered to steal maize bags from the trailer.

Related: Several people feared dead at Eveready dawn crash

At some point, the security officers launched a teargas canister which succeeded in keeping the crowd away, enabling the officers to protect the goods.

Wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

Nakuru Eveready road crash claims seven lives, leaves 12 injured

Author Spotlight

Purity Kinuthia