Gilgil accident: Family mourns 14 relatives who died in the crash
By Kenneth Mwenda, September 29, 2025A family from Murang’a County is mourning the loss of 14 relatives who perished in a road accident at Kikopey, Gilgil, along the Nakuru–Nairobi Highway on Sunday morning, September 28, 2025.
The crash involved a 14-seater matatu and a lorry, leaving only three survivors from the vehicle.
Gilgil sub-County Police Commander Winston Mwakio confirmed the incident, saying police officers and residents rushed to the scene to rescue the injured and control traffic on the busy highway. The force of the collision left the matatu badly crushed, while the lorry veered off the road before stopping on the roadside.
Family members confirmed that those who died included parents, grandchildren, and uncles who were travelling to Nakuru to visit two aunts who were hospitalised.
“Hiyo organisation yote ilikuwa ya my last sister. Ndiye alikuwa na hiyo akili ya kuunganisha familia ya grandparents wakuwe pamoja,” one of the relatives said while mourning the tragedy.
Another family member, who viewed the bodies at the mortuary, described the painful scene:
“Wakati niliingia mortuary nilipata kuna watu walikuwa wamekatakatwa uso, wengine wameumia miguu.”
Death toll rises further
According to police, the ill-fated matatu was carrying 16 members of the family, but also had some children. Thirteen people died at the scene, while three were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Doctors said two adults and one child, aged nine, are fighting for their lives.
The driver of the lorry narrated his version of events.
“Mimi nilishtukia matatu imenikaribia. Nilipiga honi. Unajua ukiona kitu mbele yako, nilipiga honi, nikajaribu kuzuia breki kidogo, sasa ile matatu ilikuwa na speed zaidi, ndio ikakuja ikakutana na mimi hapo,” he said.
Police later reported that the matatu was attempting to overtake when it rammed into the oncoming lorry. Nakuru County Police Commander Emmanuel Opuru said investigations are underway to establish the exact cause of the crash.
The accident caused a long traffic snarl-up on the Nakuru–Nairobi Highway as vehicles backed up for several kilometres. Motorists were diverted to alternative routes while a breakdown truck was called to clear the wreckage.
By Monday morning, the death toll had risen to 16 after three of the injured succumbed in hospital. The bodies were moved to the Nakuru morgue as the family began funeral preparations.