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Preliminary investigations and eyewitness accounts suggest driver fatigue or drowsiness contributed to the tragic Kikopey accident that claimed 14 lives from a single Murang'a family on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
CCTV footage has emerged showing the moments leading up to a horrific road accident near Kikopey, Gilgil, on Sunday, September 28, 2025, that resulted in the deaths of 14 members of a single family from Murang'a. The footage, captured shortly after noon, reportedly shows the matatu attempting a dangerous overtake before colliding head-on with an oncoming truck.
Witnesses at the scene have corroborated the CCTV evidence, suggesting that the driver of the ill-fated 14-seater matatu, belonging to Alsopps Sacco, may have been drowsy or fatigued. The matatu was travelling from Nairobi towards Nakuru, having picked up family members from various locations including Kandara, Kangui, Kasarani, and Dandora, en route to a family gathering in Solai, Rongai Sub-County.
Thirteen people died instantly at the scene of the crash, which occurred at the Kariandusi area along the Nakuru-Nairobi Highway. A fourteenth victim succumbed to their injuries the following day, September 29, while receiving treatment at St. Joseph Hospital in Gilgil. Four other family members remain in critical condition in various hospitals in Nakuru and Gilgil.
The victims included parents, four sisters, an uncle, and his two daughters, among other relatives. A relative who also owned the matatu, identified the driver as Elijah Mburu, and speculated that he might have been sleepy due to staying up late chatting with family the night before the journey.
Stephen Githinji, a witness driving behind the matatu, recounted seeing the vehicle suddenly swerve into the opposite lane to overtake, failing to return to its lane despite an oncoming truck. Githinji's car was slightly damaged when the truck veered off the road after the collision.
The truck driver, Juakali Vahavuka, who sustained minor injuries, expressed shock at the matatu speeding towards him, stating that the narrow road section made it impossible to avoid the head-on collision.
This tragic incident has reignited national concerns over reckless driving, lane indiscipline, and road safety on Kenyan highways. The Nakuru-Nairobi Highway is known for its high traffic volume and has been identified as a black spot, with calls for the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) to implement temporary measures to address the narrow sections of the road.
The government has pledged support to the grieving Murang'a family, with First Lady Rachel Ruto leading condolences and the Ministry of Health preparing to offer psychological support. The government has also waived Ksh 4.2 million in funeral costs.
Further investigations into the accident are ongoing to establish more details. The focus remains on addressing road safety concerns along the Nakuru-Nairobi Highway and ensuring support for the affected families.
