Fifteen people have died following a fatal road accident along the Nyeri-Mweiga road near Dedan Kimathi University of Technology on Saturday evening, March 28, 2026.

The crash involved a 14-seater public service vehicle belonging to Nyekicha Sacco and a lorry transporting firewood. Several other passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Nyeri County Referral Hospital in critical condition.

Police and eyewitnesses said the lorry driver swerved while trying to avoid hitting a cyclist before losing control and crashing head-on into the matatu, which was travelling from Nyeri town to Mweiga.

The impact left the matatu badly damaged, with parts of the vehicle crushed and debris scattered across the road. Rescue teams arrived quickly and worked to pull victims from the wreckage.

Police confirm 15 fatalities

Emergency crews used tools to access those trapped inside the vehicles. The injured were taken to hospital as families gathered, waiting for updates on their loved ones.

Nyeri Regional Traffic Commandant Elizabeth Vivi confirmed the deaths and said investigations had begun.

“Ten males succumbed on arrival at Nyeri Provincial General Hospital. One juvenile also succumbed, bringing the total number of fatalities to 15 so far,” Vivi said.

She added that authorities are still working to identify all the victims and establish the exact number of passengers who were on board the matatu at the time of the crash.

Police have since sealed off the area as officers collect evidence and assess the scene. Traffic along the busy road was disrupted for several hours as rescue operations continued.

The Nyeri-Mweiga road is known for heavy traffic and has recorded several accidents in the past. Saturday’s crash has once again raised concerns over road safety in the area.

Lorry and matatu accidents are becoming frequent on major roads across the country. In February 2026, at least five people were feared dead after a matatu collided head-on with a lorry at Salama along the busy Mombasa–Nairobi highway.

Similar crashes often involve heavy vehicles losing control or poor visibility, leaving matatus, which usually carry many passengers, badly damaged. These incidents continue to raise concern over road safety, especially on highways with heavy traffic and mixed vehicle use.