7 killed in Nairobi-Mombasa highway accident

Seven people died on the spot and one was seriously injured on Saturday morning in a grisly road accident at Sultan Hamud area in Makueni County on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.

The eight victims were heading to a burial in Makueni when the hearse they were travelling in collided with a Nairobi-bound truck.

Makueni County Commissioner Mohammed Maalim confirmed the incident saying the driver of the hearse was trying to overtake when he collided with the truck.

The critically injured mourner was rushed to the Machakos Level Five hospital. The driver of the truck escaped unhurt.

Still on Saturday, one person died and four others were seriously injured after a Toyota Hilux double cabin vehicle collided with a trailer in Makindu area near Kibwezi, Makueni County.

Makueni AP Commnader Joseph Neipeyan said the double cabin vehicle, which was heading to Nairobi, was trying to overtake when it collided with the truck.

The injured were rushed to Makindu Hospital.

Over 180 people have perished in tragic road accidents since the beginning of the month of December.

The major causes were reported to be speeding, lane indiscipline, driving under the influence of alcohol, poor overtaking, presence of other users, obstacles and animals on the roads.

The government, through the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Tuesday, December 19 released a new list of tough measures in a bid to tame the high number of accidents.