Makutano

A head-on collision between two trucks on the busy Makutano-Kenol highway left several people feared dead on Friday afternoon, authorities said.

Police reported that one of the lorries, heading towards Makutano, appeared to lose control before swerving into the opposite lane and slamming into an oncoming truck. The impact sent the first vehicle careening off the road and into a river bed.

Images from the scene showed the mangled wreckage of the lorry’s cab, its front section crushed beyond recognition.

The number of fatalities and injuries has not yet been confirmed. “We are still assessing the situation. Emergency services are on the ground,” a senior traffic officer told reporters.

The accident brought traffic on the Nairobi-bound lane to a standstill as recovery crews worked to clear the twisted vehicles. Dozens of motorists were stranded for hours, while locals gathered at the site in shock.

Red Cross personnel and police were seen assisting in the rescue and recovery efforts. Witnesses described scenes of panic as bystanders tried to help before emergency teams arrived.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but officers cited speed and loss of control as likely factors.

Kenya’s major highways have long been prone to fatal accidents. Road safety advocates warn that poor driving habits, fatigue among long-haul truck drivers, and poorly maintained roads continue to exact a heavy toll.