Five Dead, One Critical in Karatina-Sagana Highway Accident
A devastating accident along the Karatina-Sagana Highway has claimed the lives of at least five individuals, with one person left critically injured. The accident occurred in the Kibirigwi area of Kirinyaga on Friday, November 22, at approximately mid-morning.
According to eyewitness reports, a lorry transporting maize lost control, veering into oncoming traffic and colliding with two cars. The impact was severe, with the lorry’s front end significantly damaged and maize seeds scattered along the road. The cars involved in the accident were completely wrecked, highlighting the brutal nature of the crash.
Residents of the area immediately rushed to assist the victims trapped under the wreckage. Videos and photos that quickly spread across social media show locals working together in the chaotic scene, some focusing on freeing victims while others assisted with basic first aid.
The footage showed the maize-laden lorry, now mangled, and the cars left unrecognizable by the force of the collision.
The tragedy caused an overwhelming traffic jam, further complicating an already congested highway. Drivers heading to and from Kirinyaga town were forced to seek alternative routes, adding to the disarray.
Local police and the Kirinyaga County Disaster Management team arrived soon after the crash, working swiftly to clear the wreckage and begin investigations. The damaged vehicles were later towed from the scene to allow for further inquiry.
This tragic incident follows closely on the heels of another fatal crash on the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway in Chavakali, Kakamega County, where ten people lost their lives in a similar collision. The police report indicated that the accident involved a trailer that lost control and crashed into two matatus.
The recent spate of accidents has led to renewed calls for better road safety measures. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has directed police to intensify crackdowns on unroadworthy vehicles. “I hereby instruct all traffic police officers to ensure that all PSVs are roadworthy and are driven safely,” he said, emphasizing the importance of proper vehicle inspection and registration.
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Five Dead, One Critical in Karatina-Sagana Highway Accident