Fatal Kitengela road crash: Death toll rises to 8
By Kenneth Mwenda, August 9, 2025The number of people who have died in a serious accident at Korompoi, near Kitengela, has risen to eight. The crash involved a 14-seater matatu and a lorry along the Nairobi-Namanga highway.
According to police, the lorry driver failed to keep his proper lane, causing a head-on collision with the matatu. The matatu was travelling from Kajiado towards Kitengela, while the lorry was heading towards Isinya.
Seven people died immediately at the scene. However, the matatu driver later died while receiving treatment at Kitengela Sub-County Hospital, bringing the total fatalities to eight.
The lorry was reported to be speeding and trying to overtake other vehicles before the crash. Police have warned all drivers to be careful, especially on this busy stretch of road.
“This accident is a reminder that road safety must be taken seriously. Speeding and careless driving put many lives at risk,” Isinya Sub-County police commander Simon Lokitari said.
“It is unfortunate that seven people have lost their lives on the spot this morning. From eyewitness accounts, the speeding lorry heading towards the Isinya direction collided with an oncoming PSV vehicle, which had passengers, resulting in a huge, deadly impact.
“The accident happened at around 7:30 am. Our traffic police rushed to the scene and evacuated those who were trapped inside, and they have been rushed to various health facilities,’’ Lokitari said.
Eyewitness calls for safety
An eyewitness, John Keru, who drives a tuk-tuk, said he saw the lorry overtaking several vehicles and heard it hooting loudly before the crash. “There was a loud bang and screams. We rushed to help the injured and trapped passengers,” he said.
Residents living near the accident spot have asked for urgent safety measures, including speed bumps and clear road signs. They say the road is dangerous, especially with many heavy trucks passing through from Tanzania.
Following the accident, angry locals burnt the lorry involved and blocked the road to demand action from the Kenya National Highway Authority (KENHA) and the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA).
Those injured are being treated in various hospitals. The bodies of the dead were taken to local mortuaries awaiting identification and postmortem examinations.
August is often considered a dark month in Kenya, with many fatal accidents recorded across the country. Recent tragic incidents underline the urgent need for improved road safety.
Recent major accidents
On Friday evening, August 8, a school bus carrying mourners overturned near the Coptic Roundabout on the Kisumu-Kakamega highway, killing 25 people. Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has called on KENHA to urgently redesign the road and urged Kenyans to donate blood to help victims. The roundabout is known as a blackspot due to frequent fatal crashes caused by poor road design and heavy traffic.
On Thursday, August 7, an AMREF Cessna aircraft crashed into homes in Mwihoko, Kiambu County, killing all four occupants and several people on the ground. The black box has been recovered, and investigations are ongoing. The crash caused severe damage to houses and left many families traumatised.
The same August 7, a Kenya Pipeline Company staff bus was struck by a cargo train at a railway crossing in Naivasha, killing nine people. The bus was carrying 32 employees after their morning shift. Several injured victims are in hospital, and investigations are ongoing. KPC and government officials have expressed deep sorrow and pledged support to affected families.