A deadly accident unfolded today on the Nairobi–Naivasha Highway near Kinungi. A lorry laden with diesel lost control and struck a private car. The driver of the lorry died. Two occupants of the smaller vehicle were left injured and rushed to hospital.
It was shortly after 11 a.m., according to an eyewitness. “It was around 11 and a truck was involved in an accident. It was ferrying fuel to Malaba, Uganda, when things took a tragic turn. We lost one driver,” they said.
Another concern arose at the scene. While emergency teams arrived, local residents hurried to collect the spilled diesel raising serious safety concerns. The residents also scrambled to fetch some.
The crash has reignited calls from locals for action. They have asked the government to keep its promise and fix the road to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Though investigators are still piecing together the cause, initial reports point to brake failure aboard the lorry as a probable factor.
This stretch of the Nairobi–Naivasha Highway has long been dubbed a ‘blackspot.’ A fatal collision today underscores its ongoing risks. In December, a bus overturned at Kinungi, killing one and injuring 30 more, prompting more urgent calls for road fixes.
Such repeated accidents on this highway highlight both its dangerous nature and the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades. Locals believe that road widening, better braking systems and improved enforcement could make a tangible difference.
Response
There has not been any official statement made from local police or hospital yet.
Siphoning Fuel After Accidents Poses Deadly Risk
Such scenes are not new in Kenya, but they carry grave risks. Running to siphon fuel after a crash can be deadly. In 2009, a tanker explosion in Sachang’wan killed more than 100 people after residents tried to collect spilled petrol. Warnings of that fuel vapor is highly flammable, and even a small spark from a phone, a match, or a vehicle engine can trigger a blast. Police urge the public to stay away from accident scenes and allow trained emergency teams to handle dangerous cargo.
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