Double New Year’s Road Accidents Kills 13 People, Injures Dozens
On New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, two separate vehicle accidents occurred in Nyakach, Kisumu County, and near Burnt Forest along the Eldoret-Nakuru Highway, killing at least 13 people and injuring more than 20.
The bloodiest of the two crashes occurred at Katito Kaliech stage on the Homa Bay-Kisumu Highway near Nyakach, killing at least 11 persons.
Police claimed the disaster occurred after a vehicle lost control on the busy stage, resulting in a tragic crash that killed many people.
Three additional people were injured in the Katito Kaliech tragedy and were brought to the hospital for treatment as emergency crews moved in to clear the wreckage.
Fatal accident at Katito, Nyakach pic.twitter.com/3rpdeqn5XL
— limitless Media Ke (@LimitlessKe95) January 1, 2026
In a second accident in the same Nyakach neighborhood, a public service vehicle and a pickup truck crashed at Pap Onditi on the Katito-Nyakach/Kendu Bay Road.
According to police and emergency personnel, the pickup truck lost control and drove into the other lane, colliding with an oncoming Toyota Hiace matatu that was transporting passengers.
Kisumu County Health Executive Greg Ganda stated that the County Emergency Operations Centre received a distress call at 2:57pm and promptly initiated an emergency response.
Four ambulances were dispatched from Nyakach, Masogo, Rabuor, and Nyangande to transport casualties away from the area.
The Pap Onditi disaster included 22 persons, with one fatality confirmed at the site and 21 others injured.
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The injured victims were stabilised at Nyakach County Hospital before being transferred to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital for further management.
In a separate incident, another serious crash occurred near Burnt Forest on the Eldoret–Nakuru Highway, involving a container-laden trailer and a Toyota Voxy.
Witnesses said the container dislodged from the trailer, killing two people instantly and leaving one other person seriously injured.
Authorities urged motorists to exercise caution on major highways during the festive period.
Double New Year’s Road Accidents Kills 13 People, Injures Dozens
