13 Injured in Head-On Collision on Thika–Mang’u Highway

Thirteen people were injured early Friday morning in a head-on collision between two public service vehicles near Ngoingwa along the Thika–Mang’u highway.

Seven of the injured were reported to be in critical condition, while six sustained minor injuries. According to eyewitnesses, the crash occurred when one of the drivers swerved to avoid a donkey carrying water containers that had wandered onto the road.

The sudden manoeuvre caused the vehicle to collide directly with an oncoming matatu, trapping several passengers inside. One of the vehicles briefly caught fire, but local residents quickly intervened to extinguish the flames and assist with rescue efforts.

Both vehicles were severely damaged, with video footage showing broken windscreens, crushed seats, and deflated tyres. The incident caused a major traffic disruption as police arrived to manage the scene and oversee the removal of the wreckage.

Authorities confirmed that both drivers were among those critically injured. No fatalities were reported. The collision adds to a series of recent road accidents reported across the country.

On Thursday, a person died after a vehicle caught fire following a crash on the Kisumu–Kakamega highway. On Wednesday, two people were killed and seven injured when a speeding saloon car collided with a trailer in Migori County. A day earlier, six pedestrians lost their lives in Kericho County after a lorry transporting scrap metal veered off the road and struck a group waiting at a matatu stop.

Data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows that 3,397 people died in road accidents in the first eight months of this year. Human error, poor road conditions, and weak enforcement of traffic laws remain common factors in these incidents.

While the causes of recent crashes differ, ranging from stray animals to speeding and mechanical failure, the frequency and scale of such accidents highlight ongoing risks in Kenya’s transport system. Repeated collisions involving public service vehicles have raised concerns over driver competence, vehicle safety standards, and the effectiveness of emergency response services.