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A head-on collision between two trailers on the Eldoret-Malaba highway near Mwamba area on Tuesday night resulted in two confirmed fatalities and a major traffic standstill, highlighting persistent road safety challenges in Kenya.
At least two individuals were confirmed dead after two trailers collided head-on and burst into flames on the Eldoret-Malaba highway, a few metres from Turbo Market, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at approximately 7:00 PM EAT. The fiery crash caused an immediate traffic snarl-up along the busy Northern Corridor route, drawing helpless onlookers as emergency services rushed to the scene.
According to a witness, one of the lorries was attempting to overtake on a hill when it collided with another truck approaching at high speed from the opposite direction. The impact resulted in the instant deaths of the two individuals. While rescue crews and police officers managed to contain the inferno, both vehicles were completely destroyed. The exact number of injured persons and passengers in the vehicles remained unconfirmed at the time of reporting.
The Eldoret-Malaba highway is a critical artery for trade and transport in Kenya and the East African region, connecting the port of Mombasa to landlocked neighbouring countries. Its high traffic volume, coupled with sections prone to accidents, has made it a notorious blackspot. Previous incidents on this highway include a multi-vehicle crash in August 2024 that claimed five lives and another in March 2025 where one person died and seven were injured in Kaburengu due to brake failure.
Kenya has been grappling with a persistent road safety crisis. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is the primary government agency mandated to manage road safety. The government has rolled out a five-year National Road Safety Action Plan (2024–2028) aimed at curbing accidents through measures targeting reckless drivers, accident hotspots, and high-risk behaviours such as drink-driving. Key measures in this plan include automated speed checks with smart cameras and on-the-spot fines for violations.
Local residents and motorists frequently voice concerns over the safety of the Eldoret-Malaba highway, often citing poor road conditions, reckless driving, and inadequate enforcement of traffic laws. Following a previous accident in Kaburengu, locals called on the NTSA to address the poor road conditions in the area. The latest incident underscores these ongoing concerns, with passers-by and other motorists gathering at the scene, highlighting the community's direct exposure to these tragedies.
Road accidents continue to be a significant cause of fatalities in Kenya. Between January and September 2025, Kenya recorded 3,397 road crash deaths, an increase of 28 fatalities compared to the same period in 2024, according to the NTSA. This translates to an average of approximately 12 lives lost daily on Kenyan roads. Pedestrians and motorcyclists remain the most vulnerable road users, accounting for the highest share of deaths. Fatal crashes are particularly concentrated in the evenings, with 30 percent nationwide occurring between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM EAT, a period when reduced congestion, poor visibility, and alcohol consumption heighten risks.
The frequent accidents on major highways like the Eldoret-Malaba road have severe implications for Kenya's economy and public health. Beyond the tragic loss of life, these incidents lead to significant economic costs, including medical expenses, property damage, and disruptions to trade and transport. The NTSA estimates that reckless road habits cost Kenya approximately 5 percent of its GDP annually, amounting to around KSh 310 billion.
While investigations into the specific cause of Tuesday's accident are ongoing, the immediate aftermath left several details unconfirmed, including the exact number of injured individuals and whether there were other passengers in the vehicles involved. The role of potential factors such as driver fatigue, vehicle mechanical failure, or specific road design flaws in this particular incident will likely be a focus of the ongoing police investigation.
Police investigations into the cause of the accident are underway. Such investigations typically involve examining vehicle wreckage, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing any available surveillance footage to determine culpability and prevent future occurrences. The containment of the fire by rescue crews was a critical immediate step, but the long-term impact on traffic flow and the recovery of the highway will require further action.
Kenyans will be watching for the official report on the accident's cause and any subsequent actions taken by the NTSA and traffic police to enhance safety on the Eldoret-Malaba highway. The effectiveness of the government's National Road Safety Action Plan in reducing fatalities on this and other high-risk roads remains a critical area of focus. Further, the reintroduction of breathalysers, as planned by the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with NTSA, could impact enforcement efforts.
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