Multiple-Car Crash along Thika Super Highway Claims Seven Lives

Seven people lost their lives in a grisly multiple car crash on Thika Superhighway on Wednesday evening.

The accident involved five vehicles, including a public service matatu and a lorry. Kasarani area OCPD Joseph Wambua said that police have launched investigations into the incident.

"We are yet to determine the exact number of those injured as well as the cause of the accident. We are urging members of the public to stay calm," Wambua told The Star on phone.

The crash occurred at around 3.30pm at Rosters area between Jubilee Christian Church and the Church of the Lord on the Nairobi-Thika Highway.

Witnesses said that the collision began when a truck ferrying building stones burst its front right tyre, a 34-seater bus from Mwiki to Nairobi trailing the truck also crashed after running on the stones from the lorry.

“The bus tumbled on the stones that fell on the road and flew over the railings that separate the highway’s lanes. It was headed to Nairobi but on impact it flew to the lane heading to Thika,” said Mr Peter Mwangi, an eyewitness.

On landing on the other lane, the bus rolled several times. A14-seater matatu from Nairobi rammed into the bus with a huge impact. Two personal vehicles that were on the same lane also crashed into the bus.

“When everything settled, the lorry stopped in the lane leading to Nairobi while the other vehicles were on the other lane,” said Mr Reuben Ng’ang’a, a motorcyclist who witnessed the smashes.

“Most of the injured suffered cuts on multiple body parts— some on the legs, others in the face, others on their backs,” Mr Ng’ang’a said.

Police struggled to control a huge traffic gridlock on the busy highway caused by the accident.