The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has urged all road users to exercise extreme caution and strictly adhere to traffic rules, especially as children begin traveling back to school next week, following a series of tragic road crashes reported along major highways in the past 24 hours.
In a press statement issued on Friday, January 3, 2026, NTSA said it was “deeply saddened by the tragic road traffic crashes that have claimed several lives and left others injured along major highways,” noting that investigations into the incidents are ongoing.
One of the crashes occurred in the Konza area along the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway and involved a bus operated by Tahmeed Express Limited and a matatu belonging to Naekana Route 139 Sacco.
According to preliminary findings, the matatu driver attempted to overtake another vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision with the bus, claiming six lives.
Another fatal accident was reported in the Kikopey area along the Gilgil–Nakuru Highway, claiming at least five lives. NTSA said the incident involved a matatu operated by Rift Valley Shuttle, a foreign-registered truck, and a stalled trailer.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the foreign-registered truck failed to maintain a safe following distance, resulting in a rear-end collision with the matatu,” the authority said. “Due to the impact, the matatu then collided with the stalled trailer.”
According to the Gilgil sub-County Police Commander, Winstone Mwakio, the accident killed five people with seriously injured eight.
A third crash occurred at Taita Village along the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway and involved a bus operated by Janan Bus Services. NTSA noted that the driver failed to keep to the proper lane while overtaking and subsequently lost control of the vehicle. “Fortunately, no fatalities were recorded following the incident,” the statement added.
NTSA extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
“We take this opportunity to extend our sincere condolences to the families of the bereaved and wish a speedy recovery to those injured in these tragic incidents,” the authority said.
The agency warned that traffic volumes are expected to increase in the coming days as schools reopen, urging drivers to be more vigilant.
“We urge all road users to exercise extreme caution and adhere to traffic rules, especially as our children travel back to school next week,” NTSA said.
The authority added that further updates will be issued as more information becomes available from the ongoing investigations, reiterating its call for responsible driving to prevent further loss of life on Kenyan roads.
