The death toll from a road crash at Kikopey in Gilgil, Nakuru County, is feared to have risen to eight on Tuesday after one more victim died at Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital.

The accident occurred on Monday, 19 January 2026, when a truck lost control and rammed into two matatus on the busy Nairobi-Nakuru highway.

Five people died at the scene, while others later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. Eleven people were injured, with four still receiving treatment at St Mary’s Mission Hospital in Gilgil.

Families now face the painful task of identifying bodies at Gilgil Sub-County Hospital and St Mary’s Mission Hospital. Four families have claimed their loved ones. Among the dead were two Kenya Defence Forces officers. Three families are still waiting to identify relatives.

One of the victims was Samuel Kariuki, 42, a matatu driver from the Matatu sacco that plies the route. His family gathered at the mortuary in deep grief. His wife, Anne, said she last contacted him hours before the crash. She called him, and he did not pick up immediately. He later replied via message after she mentioned their young son wanted to talk to him. The news of his death left her in shock.

“I don’t even have words to say. I’m in great shock,” she said.

Another victim was 18-year-old James Karanja. His family identified his body at St Mary’s Mission Hospital. Relatives described him as a young man with a bright future whose dreams were cut short by the crash.

Grief and calls for safety

Grief fills the Gilgil Sub-County Hospital mortuary, with relatives arriving to view the remains amid sorrow and tears. The crash raises concerns about safety on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, which is known for frequent accidents.

Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the crash. The truck driver lost control, causing the multi-vehicle collision. Emergency teams rushed injured passengers to nearby hospitals immediately after the accident.

This incident highlights the dangers on Kenyan roads. Families mourn their dead while survivors recover from serious injuries.