Five people lost their lives, and nine others sustained injuries in a tragic road accident at Mahiga Meeru area along the Nyahururu-Nyeri road on Saturday evening.
The victims included the driver and women from St. Peter's Gaitega, part of the Cathedral Parish of the Catholic Diocese of Murang’a.
Survivors recounted that they were returning home after participating in a National prayer meeting at Subukia’s Marian Shrine, organized by the Catholic Women Association (CWA) on Friday evening.
The group was traveling in a matatu when the accident occurred, and the injured individuals have been admitted to various hospitals.
Three survivors were rushed to Nyahururu County and Referral Hospital where they were treated, two of them were discharged while another was admitted nursing head injuries, whereas, the bodies of four who perished on the spot were taken to the Nyahururu County Hospital Mortuary.
Others who were rescued were taken to different hospitals in Nyeri County.
Survivors said the driver of the 14-seater vehicle they were traveling in was trying to evade hitting a trailer that was coming from the opposite direction in vain.
They said the trailer appeared to have lost its brakes and lost control before it rammed into their vehicle.
Nyandarua County Women's Representative Faith Gitau was among those who aided the survivors at the scene.
The police have initiated an investigation into the accident. This incident adds to the urgency of an ongoing campaign to address the escalating number of accidents in the country.
With up to 4,000 people losing their lives annually and thousands more sustaining injuries, these incidents have far-reaching consequences on families across the nation.
