A joyous Christmas Day turned tragic along the busy Kericho–Nakuru Highway after a horrific road accident near Kedowa Trading Centre claimed the lives of three people and left four others fighting for their lives.
Police say the fatal crash occurred when a Toyota Probox ferrying seven occupants slammed head-on into a trailer that was travelling toward Nakuru. The Probox, which was heading in the direction of Kedowa, was reportedly packed with family members returning home after Christmas festivities.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the Probox driver may have been speeding, with police also suspecting that some of the occupants could have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. The violent impact of the collision instantly killed three passengers on the spot.
The four survivors sustained critical injuries and were rushed to Kericho County Referral Hospital, where they remain admitted under close medical supervision.
The bodies of the deceased were transferred to the Londiani Sub-County Hospital mortuary as grieving families come to terms with the sudden loss. Meanwhile, both vehicles involved in the crash were towed to Kericho Police Station to aid ongoing investigations.
The accident adds to a growing list of festive season road tragedies, prompting authorities to once again warn motorists against speeding, drunk driving and reckless behaviour on the roads. Police have urged drivers to exercise restraint and strictly observe traffic regulations, especially during peak holiday travel periods when highways are heavily congested.
As Kenyans continue to travel during the festive season, the Kedowa tragedy stands as a grim reminder of how quickly celebration can turn into mourning on the country’s highways.
Leave a Reply