By KPC Reporter
Shock and grief swept across Nyamira County on Saturday night into Sunday after a horrific head-on collision along the Kericho–Nyamira Road left at least eight people dead.
The accident turned what should have been the start of a festive season into a moment of collective mourning.
The accident occurred at around 8pm at the Tombe area, near Ria Arani between Ekerenyo and Ikonge towns, involving a long-distance trailer and a Nissan matatu belonging to Quarser Sacco.
The matatu, which was ferrying passengers toward Nyamira, was reduced to twisted wreckage after colliding head-on with the trailer that was heading toward Kericho.
According to police, the trailer veered off its lane and rammed into the oncoming matatu.
Six people, including five passengers and a juvenile, died on the spot.
Three others were rushed to Nyamira County Referral Hospital in critical condition.
By Sunday morning, however, county officials and local leaders confirmed that the death toll had risen to eight, after two more victims succumbed to their injuries.
The matatu driver, Douglas Basweti, was among those who lost their lives.
The trailer driver escaped from the scene and is being sought by police.
At the crash site, horror quickly turned into chaos as an agitated crowd gathered.
Officers eventually secured the area, allowing emergency responders to retrieve the bodies and tow the wrecked vehicles away.
Families spent the night in anguish, some rushing to hospitals, others waiting anxiously at the mortuary to identify loved ones.
By morning, the pain was visible across the county.
Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo described the accident as a devastating blow to the community.
After visiting survivors at the Nyamira County Referral Hospital, he said they had been stabilised and assured families of government support.
“This tragedy has thrown our county into mourning,” he said, adding that a special committee would be formed to assess and address the needs of affected families.
The Nyamira Professionals Association (NPA) also joined residents in mourning, calling the crash a painful reminder of the fragility of life and urging road users to act responsibly.
“On behalf of our members, we convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and friends, and we pray for God’s comfort, strength, and peace during this difficult time,” said the Association chairman, Charles Otwori is a statement shared on multiple social media platforms.
As travel increases ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations, leaders and residents alike are appealing for caution.
“No journey is worth a life,” one local resident said quietly at the county hospital mortuary.
“Let this pain be a warning to all of us.”
The bodies of the deceased are at Nyamira County Referral Hospital mortuary awaiting identification and postmortem examinations, as investigations into the crash continue.
