At least seven people have died after a grisly road crash involving a public service vehicle and a lorry at Korompoi, Kitengela, along the Nairobi–Namanga Highway. The Saturday, August 9 accident happened at about 9am when a 14-seater Nailepu Sacco matatu heading towards Kitengela collided head-on with a lorry travelling in the opposite direction towards Isinya.
Isinya Sub County Police Commander Simon Lomitari confirmed the tragic incident, stating that four women and three men died on the spot. Several other passengers sustained critical injuries and were rushed to various hospitals across Isinya Sub County. “It is indeed a sad morning, we have lost four female adults and three male adults in a tragic accident. The seven succumbed on the spot. Several others have been critically injured and rushed to various hospitals,” Lokitari revealed. He further stated that the bodies of the deceased were taken to the Saitoti Hospital morgue, awaiting identification.
How did the Korompoi accident happen? According to residents and preliminary investigations, the lorry was attempting to overtake when the collision occurred. He noted that motorists often speed on that stretch of road because it appears clear of heavy traffic, increasing the risk of accidents. Eyewitnesses said visibility was poor at the time due to heavy morning fog, with most motorists driving with headlights on. The crash caused a massive traffic jam on the busy highway as police and locals worked to rescue survivors and retrieve bodies from the wreckage. Agitated area residents later torched the lorry, reducing it to ashes. They also blocked the road in protest, demanding the installation of speed bumps and proper road signage at the accident-prone section. Many locals claim that the stretch between Kitengela and Isinya has seen frequent accidents, especially during early mornings when fog limits visibility.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
