A devastating road accident occurred at Migaa, a notorious black spot on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway, claiming the lives of at least thirteen people. The tragic incident, involving a matatu and a truck, took place in the early hours of Friday, March 14, sending shockwaves through the region.

According to reports, the accident occurred around 2:00 AM when a truck, allegedly experiencing brake failure, collided with a 14-seater PSV matatu traveling from Kitale to Nairobi. The impact was severe, resulting in the immediate death of all twelve occupants of the matatu and the driver of the truck. Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed the details, noting that the victims included nine men, four women, and a child.

The Migaa area has a grim history of road accidents, despite previous government efforts to mitigate the risks. A median wall was constructed to separate traffic moving in opposite directions, but accidents persist, highlighting the need for more comprehensive safety measures. In a similar incident on August 20, 2024, another accident near Salgaa, also in the Molo Constituency, resulted in 13 fatalities and over 50 injuries, underscoring the dangers of this highway stretch.

Following the recent tragedy, the Kenya Red Cross swiftly responded, setting up tracing and psychosocial support desks at the Molo Sub-County Hospital Funeral Home. These resources aim to assist families in coping with the loss and trauma. "Our teams assisted in recovery efforts and provided Psychological First Aid. We have set up a tracing desk and a psychosocial support (PSS) desk at Molo Sub-County Hospital Funeral Home to help families cope with the loss and trauma. Our thoughts are with all those affected," the Kenya Red Cross stated.

Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga has urged motorists to exercise extreme caution when approaching the Migaa area, emphasizing its status as a known black spot. The call for heightened vigilance comes as investigations are launched to determine the precise cause of the accident.

In related news, President William Ruto's administration had recently approved a multi-billion shilling investment to expand the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway. The Cabinet dispatch on Tuesday, March 11, detailed plans for the Nairobi-Rironi-Mau Summit expansion, covering the entire 170-kilometer stretch. This infrastructure project aims to alleviate traffic congestion and, crucially, minimize accidents along this busy and dangerous route.