Fifteen people killed in central Kenya road accident

At least 15 people have been killed in a head-on-collision between a logging truck and a mini public service vehicle in Kenya's central town of Nyeri.

Police said the deadly accident occurred near a public university on the Nyeri-Nyahururu road on Saturday evening.

Elizabeth Vivi, the police officer in charge of traffic enforcement in central Kenya, said the truck rammed the oncoming vehicle after swerving to avoid hitting a motorcycle that had "recklessly" joined the highway.

Vivi said that four passengers died on the spot, while the other 14 were pronounced dead on arrival at the Nyeri County Referral Hospital. Five other passengers sustained severe injuries and are undergoing treatment.

Government pledges support

President William Ruto sent his condolences via a statement on Facebook.

"The national government, in conjunction with the county government of Nyeri, is engaging with the affected families and will provide all necessary support during this difficult time," Ruto said on Saturday.

Accident-caused deaths in Kenya rose to 5,000 in 2025 from 4,448 the previous year, a government report released in early March revealed.

In efforts to contain road accidents, the country's National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) recently introduced instant fines for speed limit violations, but that measure was challenged in court, resulting in its withdrawal, at least temporarily.

Petitioners had questioned NTSA's mandate in imposing instant fines, saying such power rests only with the judiciary, according to the Kenyan law.