Two dead, nine injured in an accident on the Sagana-Makutano road

Kirinyaga West Sub-County Police Commander Julius Gaya, who confirmed the incident at the scene, said the accident involved a Toyota Hilux pickup owned by a milk manufacturing company based in Nyeri and a Toyota matatu belonging to 2NK Sacco.

According to Gaya, the pickup was travelling from Sagana towards Makutano when it suffered a tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control.

The vehicle veered off its lane, crossed the central trench separating the two carriageways and rammed head-on into the oncoming matatu, which was travelling from Makutano towards Sagana.

"On impact, we lost two persons and nine were injured. Unfortunately, the deceased were the matatu driver and a middle-aged woman believed to have been a passenger," said Gaya.

The matatu driver was identified, while the female passenger had not been identified by the time of reporting. Their bodies were moved to Kerugoya Mortuary awaiting postmortem examinations.

The nine injured passengers sustained various injuries, including to their faces, legs, hands, heads and chests, while others complained of general body pain.

They were rushed to Sagana Sub-County Hospital and Kerugoya County Referral Hospital for treatment by well-wishers and ambulance teams.

Residents of Kwa V and Sagana who rushed to the scene described the accident as terrifying, with some expressing disbelief at how the pickup crossed to the opposite carriageway before colliding with the matatu.

James Gatimu Wambui, one of the residents, said he initially thought he had witnessed an object flying across the highway before realising it was the milk delivery pickup.

"I thought it was something else flying in the air, only to see it was a pickup with milk hitting the matatu. Imagine, the matatu was heading to Nyeri and the pickup came from the highway towards Nairobi. What a night," he said.

Residents raised concerns over frequent road accidents, particularly at night, and urged motorists to exercise caution and avoid speeding.

Joseph Mwangi said the accident could possibly have been avoided had the pickup driver observed speed limits.

Meanwhile, police officers had to restrain members of the public who flocked to the scene, some seeking to assist the victims while others attempted to collect milk from the damaged pickup.

Gaya warned residents against taking the spilled milk, directing those interested in recovering it to report to the police station.

The pickup driver escaped unhurt, according to the police commander.

The wreckages of both vehicles were towed to Sagana Police Station yard pending inspection as investigations into the accident continue.