Meru crash: Lorry hits vehicles and boda boda riders as rescuers respond

MERU, Kenya, October 9, 2026 — Emergency teams were responding to a major road crash in Meru on Thursday night after a lorry reportedly ploughed into vehicles, boda boda riders and pedestrians in the busy Riverland area.

The number of people killed or injured had not been officially confirmed in initial reports, as rescuers worked at the scene and victims were taken for medical attention.

Meru County Commissioner George Omollo confirmed the crash, while preliminary accounts indicated that the lorry may have suffered brake failure before leaving its path and hitting other road users. The cause has not been independently established.

The collision left several vehicles badly damaged, with images from the scene showing wreckage and shattered glass scattered across the road. Nearby businesses were also reported to have been affected.

County deploys emergency teams

Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma expressed sorrow over the crash and sent condolences to families affected by the incident.

He said county emergency personnel had been dispatched to help rescue victims and provide urgent assistance.

“Every life matters. As we await verified information on the full extent of this tragedy, I appeal to members of the public to remain calm and allow emergency responders to carry out their work without obstruction,” Mutuma said.

Deputy Governor Lindah Kiome Gitonga also visited the scene and said county teams, including personnel from the health, special programmes, and fire and rescue departments, were working to assist those affected. She urged the public to avoid obstructing the response and to rely on verified updates. (People Daily)

Initial reports said some injured victims were taken to Meru Level 5 Hospital. The number admitted and the severity of their injuries had not been officially established at the time of reporting.

Authorities had yet to release a confirmed casualty figure or a full account of how the crash unfolded.

Meru crash follows other serious road incidents

The accident comes amid a difficult week on Kenya’s roads.

On Wednesday night, a lorry carrying hawkers and pedestrians plunged into the River Kuja at Osiri Bridge in Migori County. Several people were feared dead or missing, while injured survivors were taken to St Joseph Mission Hospital as rescue efforts continued. (Kenyans.co.ke)

Days earlier, a collision involving a lorry, a passenger van and other vehicles at Salama in Makueni County killed 17 people travelling towards the Subukia National Shrine. Seven others were reported injured.

The National Transport and Safety Authority said it had sent a multidisciplinary team to investigate the Salama crash, including examining vehicle condition and compliance. The authority described the stretch where the collision occurred as an accident black spot. (The Standard)

The circumstances of the three crashes are different and investigations are needed before their causes can be compared. However, the incidents have renewed concern over the risks posed by heavy vehicles when mechanical failure, driver decisions or road conditions contribute to a loss of control.

Investigations needed to establish cause

In Meru, the reported brake failure remains a preliminary account, not a confirmed finding. Investigators will need to establish the lorry’s mechanical condition, what happened immediately before the collision and whether any other factors contributed.

A confirmed casualty count and a clear account of the crash will also be important for families waiting for information about relatives.

For now, county officials have asked members of the public to give emergency personnel room to work and to avoid circulating unverified claims about the number of victims.

As rescue and recovery efforts continue, the immediate priority is to assist the injured and establish the facts behind a crash that struck a busy part of Meru.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.