At least six people are feared to have died in a tragic road accident along the Ol Jororok–Nakuru route on Monday evening, after a minibus carrying tourists overturned and plunged into a ditch near Gichaka area.
The victims, believed to be foreign and local tourists, were part of a larger group travelling through the central Kenya highlands when the vehicle lost control under yet-to-be-determined circumstances. The accident occurred at approximately 6:30pm, causing panic among onlookers and leading to an immediate emergency response.
According to preliminary reports from police and local authorities, the minibus appeared to have been speeding before the driver lost control while negotiating a sharp bend. The vehicle then overturned and veered off the road into a steep embankment, landing in a ditch several metres from the highway.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene and managed to rescue 27 individuals, many of whom sustained injuries ranging from fractures to serious head trauma. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals in Nyahururu and Nakuru for treatment. Several remain in critical condition.
Authorities have yet to confirm the identities of the deceased, but it is understood that they were part of an organised tour group. Police have launched investigations into the cause of the crash, with vehicle condition, road surface, and weather being considered as contributing factors.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has since issued a statement urging caution on roads during the current rainy season, highlighting an uptick in road accidents involving public service vehicles.
This latest tragedy adds to growing concerns over road safety on rural routes in Kenya, particularly those frequented by tourists. Authorities have promised a full inquiry and pledged support for the families affected by the accident.
