Morning Crash Leaves Scores Dead Near Karai Along Nairobi-Nakuru Highway
Following an early morning crash along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, several persons died, and others sustained critical injuries.
The accident occurred on Monday, January 5, at around 2 a.m., when a Greenline bus collided with a Nanyuki Cabs shuttle.
Photos shared online show the matatu’s front part completely crushed, while the other bus’s understructure was devastated.
9 people feared dead after accident involving a bus and matatu at Karai, Naivasha along the Nakuru – Nairobi Highway pic.twitter.com/j5xc7KAKfM
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) January 5, 2026
The traffic generated a minor jam on Monday morning, with cars racing to the incident site to help with rescue operations before police and emergency responders arrived.
The Kenya Red Cross confirmed the occurrence, stating that the injured were brought to Naivasha District Hospital for treatment.
“A road traffic accident occurred at around 2:00 a.m. at Karai along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway, involving a bus and a matatu,” Kenya Red Cross.
“Several injured people were taken to Naivasha District Hospital as Kenya Red Cross and other emergency teams responded,” it added.
A road traffic accident occurred at around 2:00 a.m. at Karai along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway, involving a bus and a matatu.
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) January 5, 2026
Several injured people were taken to Naivasha District Hospital as Kenya Red Cross and other emergency teams responded.
At the time this article was published, preliminary indications indicated that nine persons had died in the disaster. Two of the deceased were minors.
The collision occurred barely two days after another one on the same highway killed five people.
The crash on Saturday, January 3, in Kikopey, Gilgil, included a Great Rift 14-seater matatu and a trailer, and was apparently caused by the truck’s brake failure.
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According to the matatu’s driver, Shadrack Almasi, he was caught off guard when the vehicle was hit and crushed against another vehicle that was stationary, leading to the immediate death of five people.
Nakuru County Police Commander Emmanuel Opuru stressed the need for motorists to exercise caution along the highway.
Especially during this time when people are travelling back to the country’s capital after the festive season.
“We have received the report of the incident, and we can confirm that we have dispatched teams and emergency units to respond to the incident,” he said.
Morning Crash Leaves Scores Dead Near Karai Along Nairobi-Nakuru Highway
