Three people lost their lives, while four others sustained serious injuries following a fatal road accident involving a Toyota Probox and a heavy commercial trailer near Kedowa Trading Centre along the Kericho–Nakuru Highway early on Christmas day.
Police confirmed that the crash occurred at around 3.00 a.m. when the Probox, which was heading towards Londiani, collided head-on with an oncoming trailer travelling towards Kericho town.
The impact of the collision was severe, resulting in the instant death of three occupants of the Probox.
Kericho County Police Commander James Ngetich said preliminary investigations indicate that the Probox driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer into the opposite lane and collide with the trailer.
“Initial assessments suggest the Probox encroached onto the oncoming lane, leading to the head-on collision. Three occupants died on the spot, while four others sustained critical injuries,” said Ngetich.
Emergency response teams arrived at the scene and rushed the injured to Londiani Sub-County Hospital for first aid.
Due to the severity of their injuries and limited capacity at the facility, the victims were later referred to Kericho County Referral Hospital for specialized treatment.
Police are investigating the possibility of driver impairment, following reports from witnesses and the trailer driver who claimed the Probox had been swerving moments before the crash.
Commander Ngetich noted that forensic and toxicology tests will be conducted to establish the exact cause of the accident and determine responsibility.
Traffic police secured the scene as recovery operations continued into the morning hours, causing temporary traffic slowdowns along the busy highway, a key transport corridor linking the South Rift and western Kenya.
The tragedy has once again highlighted road safety concerns during the festive season, a period characterized by increased travel and heightened accident risks.
Authorities have since intensified patrols and enforcement operations along major highways to curb reckless driving.
Commander Ngetich urged motorists to exercise caution, observe traffic regulations and avoid risky behavior on the roads.
“A single lapse in judgment can have irreversible consequences. Drivers must take responsibility for their actions to protect lives,” he warned.
Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.
By Gilbert Mutai
