Karai–Naivasha stretch under spotlight after another fatal road accident

Our reporter, Serfine Achieng’ Ouma, visited the scene moments after the accident and spoke to residents who say they have witnessed one tragedy after another along the notorious stretch.

Traffic flows uninterrupted along the highway, with vehicles moving in both directions. However, dangerous overtaking and overlapping remain common, even in broad daylight. This risky behaviour was evident just moments after the grisly crash occurred near Eagle Petrol Station.

The latest accident happened only a few metres from the site of a previous crash that, weeks ago, was reported to have claimed the life of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo. Residents say the proximity of multiple fatal accidents highlights a deeper problem that remains unresolved.

A few kilometres from Karai, memories are still fresh of another horrific incident in which more than 40 people lost their lives after a tanker ferrying highly flammable chemicals lost control, rammed into several vehicles, and exploded on impact. The resulting fireball engulfed nearby cars, leaving widespread devastation.

The presence of a trauma clinic run by St John Ambulance, located adjacent to the accident scenes, stands as a grim reminder that the area is a recognised black spot. Locals say frequent burials have become a painful norm, with one resident lamenting that graves are “too many” because of the recurring crashes.

At the Naivasha Police Headquarters, the scale of the problem becomes even more apparent. Wreckage from vehicles involved in multiple accidents — including a Greenline bus and a matatu recently written off — is parked within the compound. Authorities confirm that hospitals in the area are increasingly overwhelmed by patients injured in the frequent crashes along the route.

Residents are now calling on the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to urgently redesign the road to enhance safety and prevent further loss of life.

It is a plea they hope will be acted upon — before yet another accident, another injury, or another death is added to the long and tragic list.