By Robert Mutasi 
A dark cloud has once again engulfed the Eldoret-Nakuru highway after seven people lost their lives on Thursday night in a horrific accident involving a trailer and two matatus at the infamous Mlima Punda area in Ainabkoi Sub-County.
The 8:30 pm crash, which involved a heavy Mercedes Actros trailer and two Toyota Hiace matatus – one operating as a Shuttle – has left families in mourning and reignited calls for urgent safety interventions on one of Kenya’s deadliest highways.
According to police, the trailer was speeding from Nakuru towards Eldoret when the driver attempted a dangerous overtake while descending the steep Mlima Punda hill. In the process, the trailer swerved into the oncoming lane, ramming head-on into the two matatus that were fully loaded with passengers heading in the opposite direction. The impact was catastrophic.
Six passengers and the driver of one of the matatus died instantly at the scene. Photos from the accident scene showed the front cabins of the matatus completely crushed, with twisted metal and shattered glass scattered across the road.
Eight other passengers survived with serious injuries and were rushed by well-wishers and police officers to Burnt Forest Hospital, where they are currently admitted. Doctors say some are in critical condition.
Uasin Gishu County Police Commander confirmed the incident, saying preliminary investigations point to reckless overtaking and speeding as the cause.
“The trailer driver attempted to overtake while descending, lost control and collided with the two matatus. We have towed the wreckage to Tarakwa Police Station as investigations continue,” police said.
The bodies of the deceased have been moved to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary in Eldoret for preservation and autopsy, as police work to identify them and notify their families.
The Mlima Punda crash was not an isolated case. On the same Thursday, police recorded at least six major accidents countrywide that left 17 people dead and 27 others seriously injured. The casualties included passengers, pedestrians, boda boda riders and pillion passengers.