By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, 6 January 2026 - At least six people were killed on the spot and more than 40 others were injured in a grisly road crash early Tuesday morning along the Londiani–Muhoroni Highway, authorities have confirmed, highlighting ongoing concerns over road safety on one of Kenya’s most accident‑prone routes.
Police and rescue teams were dispatched swiftly after the crash, which occurred at around 5:40 a.m. near the Tunnel Flyover section of the highway, Kericho County Police Commander James Ngetich told journalists.
The collision involved a public service vehicle (PSV) bus carrying passengers from Nairobi to Busia and a lorry transporting charcoal, both travelling in the same direction at the time of impact.
“Six people died at the scene, and at least 43 others were injured,” said Ngetich, adding that rescue teams from the Red Cross, police and local emergency services were on the ground providing treatment and transporting the injured to Fort Ternan and Londiani Sub‑County hospitals.
Eyewitnesses described a horrific scene of twisted metal and screams as first responders worked to extract victims and provide first aid amid chaotic conditions.
Survivors were reportedly in various states of injury, with some suffering life‑threatening trauma.
The Londiani–Muhoroni Highway, part of the greater Londiani Junction–Muhoroni corridor, has been the site of numerous fatal crashes over the years, driven by factors including vehicle speed, mechanical failure, poor road design, lack of signage and human error.
Similar incidents along the route have prompted calls from local authorities for urgent safety interventions such as improved road markings, signage and redesign of dangerous bends.
In past years, this corridor has seen multiple tragic incidents. For example, a matatu and trailer collision in September 2024 left nine people dead and several injured at Pangala in the Kisumu Ndogo area along the same highway, illustrating the recurring dangers motorists face in the region.
Road safety advocates and police have repeatedly urged motorists to observe speed limits, avoid overtaking on blind curves and ensure vehicles are mechanically sound before long trips, especially on highways with steep sections and frequent traffic congestion.
Nationwide, road accidents remain a significant public health concern, with thousands of Kenyans killed or seriously injured annually.
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Following the crash, police opened an investigation into the circumstances behind the collision, including whether driver fatigue, vehicle speed, road conditions or mechanical failure played a role.
Officials said the drivers involved were being interviewed as part of the inquiry, though preliminary findings have not yet been released.
The Kenya Red Cross and local health officials are coordinating care for the injured, some of whom are expected to be referred for specialised treatment at larger facilities if required.
In response to rising road fatalities, some county leaders and safety experts have renewed calls for immediate investment in road infrastructure improvements and enhanced enforcement of traffic laws.
Kericho County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo previously directed authorities to work with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to redesign the Londiani–Muhoroni corridor, improve signage and strengthen road markings as part of broader efforts to reduce carnage.
“The Londiani–Muhoroni highway has claimed many lives owing to poor design and inadequate warning systems,” Commissioner Kitiyo said during a safety meeting last year, adding that visible road signage, even temporary, was urgently needed to guide motorists safely.
As investigations continue, families of the deceased and injured are left to contend with the human toll of yet another tragedy on Kenya’s roads.
For many Kenyans, the pain of losing loved ones in traffic accidents has become an all‑too‑familiar reality, with cries for better infrastructure and stronger enforcement echoing in communities across the country.
Six Killed, Dozens Injured After Bus Rams Into Lorry on Londiani–Muhoroni Road
Renewed Calls for Urgent Road Safety Improvements
